Bonfire2010

Thanks reren, will look into the hypnobirthing. Good luck over the next few days - let us know how you get on xx

Just noticed that bookings have opened, in case anyone is interested.

So glad to read this thread. I am due with my second on Christmas Day and am starting to become quite anxious as first labour wasn't great - 30 hours, meconium in waters, couldn't get on with the mouthpiece for the gas and air, failed induction, then they discovered waters hadn't fully broken so had amniotic hook (worst part of the whole thing), epidural and then ventouse. In hospital for 6 days as a precaution and was nearly climbing the walls by the time we got home - I actually burst into tears when we walked through the front door as it was just so calm and quiet compared to the maternity ward. I am desperate to try and avoid too much intervention this time around, not from any oerwhelming desire to have a particular type of birth, but just because our support network is limited - friends will be away for xmas, so we are relying on my dad, who my son adores, but who isn't the best with the practicalities of looking after a toddler. So I need to get home/deliver as soon as I can! I feel like it must hae been another person who gave birth first time around as I just can't believe it was me. As the due date gets nearer I have found myself thinking 'I just cannot do this'. It's really good to hear so many positive second labour stories. I have also started reading 'Birth Skills' which Norfolkvillas refers to and it seems very practical and straightforward and appeals to my nature. I had the Lanes midwives first time around and with the Kings midwives this time around. I do miss the family feeling of the Lanes, but Kings also seem nice. Does anyone know if you have to have the mouthpiece for the gas and air, or if you can have a mask?

When did I say that I was trying to prove that all people are pregnant women haters? All I was saying was that the incident I mention was something that happened to a good friend, and shook her up enough that it has put me off being overly vocal. That, plus the fact that I most definitely do not see myself as the 'queen of the carriage' and therefore entitled to a seat the minute I deign to step on to the train.

It's fine in theory to say that I/we need to make it clear that we need a seat, but personally I've been wary of this since a friend, nearing the end of her pregnancy and feeling faint, asked for a seat and received the response 'It's not my f*&?ing problem that you're pregnant'. Lovely.

Hi - I am also pregnant (30 weeks) and usually find that I get a seat on the 8.26 from Denmark Hill (I also get off at City Thameslink). I'm usually there for the 8.19 but never get on it as it's packed. If I don't manage to get a seat straight away then the train usually clears out quite a lot at Elephant & Castle. I'd like to be more vocal as suggested above, but have had other commuters virtually shove me out the way to get on the train first so don't think they are going to be that bothered!

Thanks all - think I will go out and stock up on sticker books this weekend!

Hi - we went through this when my son was about 2 and a half. He suddenly went from having no problem with being left at nursery to being very clingy and teary, but after a (what felt like long) few weeks he went back to being OK again. One of the nursery staff was very good and would make a game out of me going - she would pick my son up and they would 'race' me to a window so that we could wave goodbye, but other than that I wish I could say we did something specific to make it better but we didn't. He still has the occasional wobble but the staff are good at distracting him. At the moment he's going throuygh a phase of not really wanting me to leave him, but then not wanting to leave at the end of the day either!

My son has suddenly got three parties over the next couple of weekends, all for girls turning 3. I am wondering what to get in the way of small gifts for them all as my friends all have boys, or older girls so I don't really have any reference points. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks

Kiddicare are in Croydon have the City Select, P&T's Navigator and Dot, plus lots of others out on display to try (or did a few weeks ago anyway). I rang ahead to make sure I didn't have a wasted journey. I went in specifically to look at the city mini gt (to use with buggy board), but having tried them in the shop I think we will go for one of the P&T's if we decide to buy a double. My only concern is that I have heard the P&T's are prone to puncturing.

What DMC are you with? I am with Chadwick Road and they told me last week that it was a walk in service for the flu jab.

Thanks for doing this Natalie - just sent my requst to join.

Hi Ladies I am not going to make it today - combination of son #1 deciding that 1am is a good time to get up, and son #2 (to be) giving me acid reflux has left me feeling wiped out today. I hope you have a lovely afternoon tea and I'll try and make it to the next meet up. Emma x

Great - thanks all.

Has anyone one used a sleeping bag for a newborn? When my now 2 year old was born I just used bankets, but he used to kick them off/over him in the night. I've seen a newborn version on JoJo Maman which looks quite good, but am wondering about the safety aspect. The one's I've seen have sleeves so in theory the baby won't be able to wriggle down, but am still unsure. Any experiences/thoughts would be appreciated.

Anderson's is my local cafe and I haven't been in since the owner, not knowing that we were sitting 2 feet away from her, ranted at one of the waitresses that I would have to wait for my sandwich because didn't we know she [the owner] was busy, and that my husband was 'only to be given a teaspoon's worth' of tomato ketchup to go with his sausage roll. Pre-this I went in a few times whilst on mat leave and was always left with the feeling that my pram was quite the inconvenience. New favourite is Aneto (sp?) on the old Locale site. Further away, but nice food, friendly staff and next to Goose Green playground for my toddler to run around pre/post breakfast or lunch.

My Aussie nieces (aged 14 and 15) always want Hollister or, the Holy Grail which seems to be Jack Wills. Not sure if the same for boys, but happy to text them if you want to know what their male friends are wearing.

Unfortunately you do need to get on those lists as soon as you can. Most do charge - the least we paid was ?20 to register, but I do recall that Excel2 in Peckham Rye wanted a whole month's fees, upfront and non-refundable although that did guarantee a place. We started looking when I was about 3 months pregnant, and only got the offer of a place at the nursery we wanted when my son was 6 months old. He started part-time when he was 9 months, going perm at 15 months and yes, for about a year it did feel like a constant stream of coughs and colds, but then his immunity seemed to kick in a bit. I've probably just completely tempted fate and he'll have a raging cold when I collect him later!

I can do the the 6th and would love to meet up! I looked into doing Ariadna's classes but couldn't commit to all of the sessions, so am now signed up to Suze Cook's one-day session at The Vale Practice on 24 November. Emma

I also recommend Kuki (I usually go to Pauline, but have also had my hair done by Shingo and Gemma who were both good). I think I am the only person who doesn't rate Miguel at Rocks Hair, I was really disappointed with the cut he gave me - everyone else seems to think he's great though so maybe just me!

Thanks SR. Have hopefully sorted something out, but if it falls through I will give TDLP a call.

Hi akd We had this one http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3769001.htm, and initially I thought it was very good, but after having to take it back (twice) because the first one started making a loud grinding noise, and the second one leaked, we got this one http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7328486.htm and have been much happier.

Thanks everyone for your ideas. After many viewings and different permutations, I have booked JAGS Sea Scout Hut and am going to get a 'pirate' in to do songs, stories, bubbles, parachute play etc. I don't think it took this much costing and planning when I was organising my wedding! :-)

Sounds great - I would definitely be interested as long as the costs were not prohibitive.

We tried to book the Vic Inn playroom but they don't allow it. They prefer you to book a table and then use the playroom separately.