My name is Kathryn Stutely (although until 2021 it was Kathryn Beale) and I am a mum of two.  My first was born in the Great Western Hospital, in 2008 and my second at home, in 2010. I was living in Swindon when they were born, but have since moved to Devizes.

When pregnant for the first time, I was initially rather nervous about the prospect of giving birth and decided that the more I knew about birth, the better prepared I would be. So I researched every aspect of birth, from birth hypnosis and waterbirths, to inductions, epidurals and caesareans. By the time I went on maternity leave, I felt very relaxed about the fast approaching birth and was actually really looking forward to it. My midwife even commented that I was the most chilled out first-time mum-to-be she had met. Unfortunately, despite all my preparations, my birth was not the experience I was hoping for, and although it didn't put me off childbirth altogether, it did leave me feeling quite apprehensive about any future births.

Two years and 3 days after giving birth for the first time, I gave birth again, in my own home after a short and very relaxed labour. It was the most amazing experience of my life, which I believe is how everyone should feel about their births.

I decided I wanted to be a doula, so that I could help others achieve the births they wanted, too. When my second was seven months old, I undertook a doula preparation course, with Nurturing Birth, and joined Doula UK. I spent the next few years going through their recognition process, and am now a fully recognised Doula UK birth and postnatal doula.

In 2011 I started training with School of Babywearing and am now a fully qualified babywearing consultant, running Swindon and Devizes Sling Library.

In 2012 I trained to become a breastfeeding peer supporter, and later on went on to do my breastfeeding counsellor training. Over the years have volunteered at several breastfeeding support groups, including one specifically for those breastfeeding children over 12 months of age. I really enjoyed breastfeeding both my children, and want to offer new parents the support they need to overcome any difficulties and enjoy what can be a very rewarding experience.

In 2013 I trained with the NCT as a maternity and nursing bra fitter. I volunteered as the Swindon branch's bra fitter for 3 years, until the NCT stopped offering a bra fitting service. I decided I would like to continue to offer a fitting service, so set up my own. In 2016 I undertook further training in maternity and mastectomy fitting, earning me the title of Royce Lingerie Advanced Bra Fitter.

I have also trained as a placenta encapsulation specialist, with the Independent Placenta Network (IPEN), although I am currently only offering a very limited range of placenta services.

I have always loved learning and have done my best to keep myself up-to-date with the latest research and recommendations regarding pregnancy, birth, infant feeding, infant sleep and babywearing.

Relevant courses, study days and conferences:

💜  BTEC National Diploma in Nursery Nursing (1993-1995)

💜  Nurturing Birth Birth and Postnatal Doula Course (2011)

💜  Working for Women Study Day (2011)

💜  Once More Unto The Breech: A Study Day for Midwives and Doulas (2011)

💜  Natal Hypnotherapy for Birth Professionals Workshop (2011)

💜  School of Babywearing Peer Supporter Course (2011-2012)

💜  Sheffield Home Birth Conference (2012)

💜  Waterbirth study day (2012)

💜  Mother & Baby International - Infant Feeding Module 1 (2012)

💜   Mother & Baby International - Infant Feeding Module 2 (2012)

💜  Emergency First Aid for Parents (2012)

💜  Association of Breastfeeding Mothers Conference (2012)

💜  NCT Breastfeeding Peer Supporter Course (2012)

💜  Placenta Remedies Workshop (2012)

💜  Using Slings for Labour and Birth (2012)

💜  School of Babywearing Consultancy Course (2012-2013)

💜  NCT Bra Fitters Workshop (2013)

💜 Mother & Baby International - Infant Feeding Module 3 (2013)

💜  IPEN Placenta Encapsulation Specialist Training (2013)

💜  Association of Breastfeeding Mothers Conference (2013)

💜  European Babywearing Conference (2013)

💜  Birthing Babies Rebozo Workshop (2013)

💜  'Attachment theory, neuropsychology and infant carrying' with Henrik Norholt (2014)

💜  Association of Breastfeeding Mothers - Mother Supporter Module (2014)

💜  'Ten Things I Wish Every Woman Knew About Induction of Labour' with Sara Wickham (2014)

💜  Breech Study Day with Joy Horner (2014)

💜  Group B Strep Explained with Sara Wickham (2014)

💜  Association of Breastfeeding Mothers Conference (2015)

💜  European Babywearing Conference (2015)

💜  'Working With Pain in Labour' with Nicky Leap (2015)

💜  Foundation For Infant Loss Training - Infant Loss Study Day (2015)

💜  Royce Lingerie Advanced Bra Fitting Course (2016)

💜  Association of Breastfeeding Mothers Conference (2016)

💜  National Breastfeeding Helpline Study Day (2017)

💜 Infant Feeding Professional Day (2017)

💜  Microbirth Online Course - The Infant Microbiome And Epigenetics (2017)

💜  Association of Breastfeeding Mothers Conference (2018)

💜 Health Professional Academy - Tongue tie and breastfeeding CPD module (2018)

💜  Association of Breastfeeding Mothers - Breastfeeding Counsellor Course (2014-2018)

💜  Aromatherapy For Childbirth (2019)

💜  Association of Breastfeeding Mothers Conference (2019)

💜  Microbirth Online Course -  Understanding The Infant Microbiome and Group B Strep (2019)

💜  Microbirth Online Course - Breast Milk and the Infant Microbiome (2020)

💜 Health Professional Academy - Advising parents on safe car travel with a baby CPD module (2020)

💜 Association of Breastfeeding Mothers Virtual Conference (2020)

💜  National Breastfeeding Helpline Virtual Study Day (2021)

💜  Health Professional Academy - Induction of labour - making informed decisions CPD module (2021)

💜  LGBTQ+ Competency in Birth and Beyond (2021)

💜  Childcare and Health Professional Holistic Sleep Coaching - The Holistic Sleep Coaching Revolution Event (2021)

💜 Association of Breastfeeding Mothers Virtual Conference (2021)

💜  Safer Sleep and Supporting Parents  - The Lullaby Trust and Baby Sleep Info Source (2021)

💜  Supporting Breastfeeding Multiples - Kathryn Stagg IBCLC (2021)

💜 Doula UK Conference (2022)

💜  LGBTQ+ Competency in Lactation (2022)

💜  Association of Breastfeeding Mothers Virtual Conference (2022)

💜  Understanding sudden infant death syndrome in infancy, and promoting safer sleep in 0-1s - B&NES Swindon and Wiltshire  (2022)

💜  Association of Breastfeeding Mothers Conference (2023)

💜  Introduction to the Peanut Ball for Maternity - Peanut Ball Training UK (2023)

💜   Association of Breastfeeding Mothers Conference (2024)