MEET Lara Stockbridge - author, fire-breather and self-appointed birth adviser to the Duchess of Cambridge.
The mother-of-two, from March, Cambs, published an unusual, rhyming book about pregnancy last year - and it now comes with royal approval.
That’s because she has received a letter of thanks from Kate Middleton and Prince William after she sent them a copy of The Princess and The Poo.
Miss Stockbridge put her own spin on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic The Princess and The Pea in an attempt to “take the fear out of childbirth” and encourage home births.
The 39-year-old, who writes under the pen name of Lara Fairy Love, said: “A lot of people are terrified of having a baby and all you get taught through the television is that birth is a trauma.
“The thing about being terrified is that it makes childbirth really hard - it can actually be an amazing experience and that’s why I wrote the book.
“When I heard that Kate was pregnant I thought ‘brilliant’. I sent her a copy and an inspirational letter outlining how she could inspire a generation to think about home births.
“Two weeks later, just as I thought it probably hadn’t got through to them, I got a letter back. I was chuffed.”
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who issued their reply via Clarence House, sent their “warmest thanks” and said they were touched to receive a copy of the book.
Miss Stockbridge, who moved away from March when she was 19, now lives on a houseboat in Oxford with her two sons, Blue, 14, and Jake, 11.
She describes herself as a “birthing assistant” but she also works as a fire performer under the alias of Saarrukka - Goddess of Birth and Fire.
She was inspired to write her book, which compares the childbirth process to bowel movements, amid rising rates of Caesarean sections.
“The book is targeted at people who are pregnant but it’s also targeted at children,” said Miss Stockbridge.
“I run a birthing club and when you ask children about giving birth they think about doctors, hospital beds and mothers crying.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a walk in the park but if you alter your perspective on giving birth it can be an amazing and life-enriching experience.”
Miss Stockbridge gave birth to her first son in the back of a Transit van on a hill in Devon. Her second son entered the world in a horsebox, which was parked in a Spanish valley.
“I didn’t want to go to hospital,” she said. “I wasn’t sick and I wasn’t afraid.
“I think hospitals are amazing - but they’re for people who are sick. I didn’t see any reason for me to clog up their system.
“Giving birth was the most extreme experience and the most empowered I have ever felt. It was amazing to see what your body could do. I see no reason to be afraid of that.”
Miss Stockbridge hopes to publish five books in her birthing series, with the next two titled The Prince, The Princess and The Poo and The Prince, The Princess and The Palace.
The Princess and The Poo is available at lulu.com - the eBook is priced at £3.65.
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