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Very interesting thread. I am due in December for a hospital birth at Kings. Here's a link to the Kings website which suggests a 5 beded recovery ward. I wonder if this means one such ward or several?

Hi Alieh, Welcome. You are due the same day as me although I am a first timer. I am with the Paxton Green midwives in West Dulwich. After much disucssion I have booked the hypnobirthing course at St Thomas's hospital in October. Mainly because of our working hours, a Sunday suits us better. I hope everyone is well. I am finally starting to get the lift in energy of the 2nd trimester. Long may it last :-)

Hi Ladies, I was born in Kings many moons ago and agree that the level of detail at the scan was impressive. Also Kings do a 32 week scan which most other hospitals don't. I'd certainly be interested in the hypnobirthing group. Myself and hubby's working hours span days, evenings and weekends so would need to plan far in advance to find suitable days. I had Hollie on my list and also Judith Flood who is a midwife and runs sessions at St Thomas's. Both have received very good reviews. Delia

Hi Tara, Congratualtions to you also! You're right. This is my first time around so there are probably many things I'm over-looking. What your surgery has said makes sense. Now the nausea/sickness is over, for me it feels like nothing is happening. I get the odd fluttering sensation and am just starting to grow a lower belly. My 16wk appointment was pretty much an introduction to the midwives service at my GP practice. They took a urine sample but didn't weigh me (thank goodness!) but they did give me some a few books (Emma's diary, How to Have a Healthy Pregnancy and A Parents Guide to Money). It took about 15mins max. Not a waste of time but I'm sure they could have fit that into a later appointment. Where are you due to have your baby? Have you signed up for the NCT classes? I sent off the form for classes at Dulwich Hospital but if I don't hear from them soon, I'll book onto the NCT ones. Where are you planning to have your baby, if you've decided as yet? I'm going with a birth at Kings and am looking into hypnobirthing classes. Delia x

Hi ladies, I am in West Dulwich. Our first baby and due 31/12/13! I have had the 16 week mw appointment with the mw team at my local GP practice. I believe if your GP doesn't have a resident midwife, a doctor can see you for appointments. See how your first appointment with the doctor goes or ask to be seen sooner than 20 weeks. Alternatively you could ask to have your midwifery care at Midwives House on Coldharbour Lane which is where you likely had your booking appointment. I found them to be very helpful answering queries, so don't hesitate to ring and put forward your concerns or preferences. xx

Hi, Not sure if this will bide you more time but my understanding was that any request for flexible working must be considered and responded to by an employer witin 14 days. You may find more info on a specific 'working mums' website with lots of legal info around maternity leave rights. Perhaps you can negotiate with your workplace a shorter phase-in, so a couple of weeks 2 days, a couple of weeks 3 days, increasing to 4 days. Naturally childcare needs to be in place. Hopefully someone will be along shortly with more knowledge. I am expecting at the moment and will potentially face such obstacles. Fingers crossed your workplace can be more flexible.

Hi there, You won't want a space that is too big for your numbers. A few suggestions: Darby and Joan Club - Leigham Court Rd in Streatham. Beauberry House - Gallery Road, Dulwich Nice function rooms to hire above The Rosendale (Rosendale Rd, West Dulwich). The Terrace at Dulwich Wood House. Alleyn's Sports Club - Burbage Road, Herne Hill. Actually, Alleyn's school have a few options on and off-site to consider. Very flexible and reasonable prices. The Francis Peek Centre - inside Dulwich Park, near the car park - unsure of time constraints. Kingswood House, Dulwich. Located on the edge of a mixed tenure housing estate but don't let that put you off taking a look. Hidden gem. Fantastic grade II listed building with nice grounds at the rear for photos! Best of luck!