CocoC

Hello Just got back from a lovely meet-up at the Great Exhibition for us mat leavers - but should be around on Sunday too so will hopefully meet more of you then/ see you again! Lx

Hello See you there! Hope you'll be able to make it for a quick one Bluedark!

I miss the coffee shop. I hope they will re-open - does anyone know?

Hi Emma No problem - at the moment Sunday 27th Oct for lunch has been mooted -details to follow!

Welcome ginpop and LSN! We're having a meet up on 27th if you're interested x

Wow Jenny I'm so surprised, I called DMC and got an appointment a week and a half later! Do they definitely know that you're seeing the nurse for these jabs? Sorry to ask what might seem a silly question. I'm afraid I'm not sure on where supplies the flu jab other than the doctor's surgery.

Thanks Natalie! I've just requested to join. I guess you have to approve me now :) Lovely to meet you guys yesterday. I was dreading the Survey Monkey effort so maybe we can use some kind of Facebook poll to record availability for the next meet up? Laura x

I'm still in - hopefully see some of you there! Am sure there will be another meet-up for those who can't make it x

Hi Buggie Yes it's very new - although seperated from the Red Level Lounge and the Red Level pool - there is apparently a seperate Red Level family pool! We hope to check it out with mini CocoC next year!

Thank you for your post Maxine. Very reassuring :)

Yep still on for Sunday Bkk - I'll be there at any rate! Have fun at Hollie's course - I found it absolutely brilliant and am looking forward to putting it all into practice! x

Another vote for the Gran Melia (Sensatori) in Tenerife here - we have not gone with kids yet (I'm pregnant with my first) but if you book direct you can stay in the family area of 'Red Level' which is their super luxurious bit and well worth the extra cash in my opinion. Clarins toileteries? Why yes, thanks very much.

Welcome Flyawayblue! A bunch of us are meeting in the Chandelier for a cuppa on Sunday at 3pm if you fancy it.

Hello hello @Privatebanking -have gone back through the thread and I think it was just you, me and RCM who were definites for the 28th - eagleeyedi could make either one, then we have about 9 or 10 confirmed for the 6th. Haven't heard from eagleeyedi, but RCM can still make if you guys want to PM? Yes, I think I will need to bow out (as I'm by no means a naturally gifted cook!) so will see the rest of you on the 6th, then agree Privatebanking that a further meet up would be lovely!

Hello! How many takers do we have for tea on Saturday? We now have friends coming for dinner on Sat eve so (having organised it!) I may have to bow out unless I serve them pot noodles. Still very much up for the 6th though. X

FYI it's worth bearing in mind that nobody can force you to have an induction. You are 'allowed' to carry on as long as you wish. It's just a careful weighing up of risk versus benefits. Have just read a brilliant book as I am pregnant with my first baby and want a homebirth - and am prepared to fight for it no matter how late baby ends up being.

Great! Let's say 3pm at Chandlier on the 28th (for those that can make it) and the 6th. I'll post nearer the time to check we still have takers for both dates but it's sounding good. @Tara - I was really tempted by a 4D scan! Will you find out the sex in advance of that? And if not, do you think you'll be able to tell from his/ her little face? Great to hear about your midwife. I had my 28 week check with my lovely Lanes midwife this morning and heard a great tale about an intrepid cat attempting to steal a placenta that had been placed to one side after a homebirth. I have two cats, am planning a homebirth and now have visions of a cat tearing round the house dragging a placenta after it. Really hope nobody is reading this whilst eating their dinner!

Hello Super! I can do both the 28th and the 6th (duh, that's why I suggested them - stating the bleeding obvious there) and am more than happy to meet as many of you as poss so why don't we pencil both in? Anybody have any venue preferences? Was thinking Chandelier or Vintage Pretty, poss Chandelier as slightly more room?

Hello Just checking back in to say hello and as a few people are interested in a coffee and catch-up, seeing if we can make it happen! As an opening gambit, how are people fixed for the afternoon of Saturday 28th Oct? Or the afternoon of Sunday 6th Oct? Don't suppose any of you are in my NCT group are you (start with Tessa Dailey on Sat 28th...) x

Hello I'm only 24 weeks pregnant but have decided to start thinking about our future daughter's education already. That's just the type of neurotic person I am, I'm afraid :) Having been state-educated ourselves, my husband and I have no idea how it all works. I've looked at a few of the websites (DUCKS, Alleyn's, JAPs, Sydenham girls etc.) and it seems as if most of them take admissions from 4+, in the way that a state primary would, although some seem to offer nursery/ kindergartens prior to that. I know you can register at DUCKs but I take it the others just involve ability assessments at age 4? Should I be thinking about pre-prep/ nursery at my favoured school or can I wait until age 4? Is it a total bun fight or have we got a good chance of getting her a place? All intel gratefully received, thank you x

Hi Loz334 Interesting you say that as I went to a homebirthing seminar run by the Kings Midwives last weekend and they admitted that only 7% (I think it was) of births are in the pool. Obviously the number using it for pain relief before emerging and having the baby on dry land (!) could be higher, but my impression was definitely that they have a woeful shortage of pools (which has made my mind up to labour in my own pool at home!).

As the title of the post says really! Looks like the paving stones are buckling under the pressure and there's quite a lot of water. It's at the bottom end, just past Pretty's.

Hi all Great to see this thread taking off! Had my scan at 22 weeks last Weds - it's a girl for us! I didn't see the 'nub' last time though Tara so no idea if it's right or not, all I know is that the Chinese Gender Predictor is a load of old cobblers (probably unsuprisingly :)) Have had one hynobirthing class with Hollie and loved it. Next one this coming Wednesday. Also attended a homebithing seminar at King's on Saturday - was fascinating and definitely made my (and probably more importantly, my husband's) mind up about giving it a whirl if we can. Happy to share what I learned if anyone's considering it. Shall we try and have a meet-up over a coffee sometime or would that scare everyone too much? I promise I'm not a burly trucker called Dave. x

Hello ladies Can I join you please? I'm due on 4th December with my first. Like you Kristine, I'm under the care of the Lanes midwives and it has been an absolute pleasure so far. I am also planning for a homebirth all being well, and am taking Hollie Stroud's hypnobirthing course :) Perhaps we can compare notes/ tips! :) Tara and Bkk - I have had two friends who have gone through NCT with Tessa Dailey and they thought very highly of it and of her. We're booked on in September I think it is. Delia I think if you're interested in taking Hollie's course she's got spaces in October from memory. Lovely to 'meet' you all! x

Thank you Ana Maria- really helpful! I am also under the care of the Lanes so fantastic to hear you had a good experience (although am making a mental note to ask my husband to sound panicked even if I don't!. I called the Kings Midwives earlier and will go to the seminar on 3 Aug- thanks for the tip off! Hi Hollie- I'm actually booked on to your August course :) :)