anna_r

Thanks for your good wishes and advice Heidi and Buggie. Sweeps start at 41 weeks (this Thursday) and the Brierley do them on consecutive days if the cervix seems suitable (which is good as I had to fight to have multiple sweeps last time round before they went straight for the induction). So fingers crossed they will get things going. Still time to go I guess but every day at this stage seems like another week of being pregnant!!

Hi everyone, Just looking for a bit of encouragement and hopefully positive stories! Currently four days overdue with my second...first birth quite drawn out and lots of intervention, synto drip, antibiotic drip, epidural + catheter, permanent monitoring, ventouse etc...although everything worked out fine and have happy healthy beautiful daughter of 18 months. Had planned a different type of experience for the second - booked with Brierley who have been fab, birth pool, done hypnobirthing course, feeling very positive about everything until due date came and went on Thursday. Now having to face the prospect of being induced again. Obviously trying all the usual things - spicy food, reflexology etc but nothing worked so far. I'm only four days overdue but no signs at all yet, head only 1/5 engaged (although apparently for a second birth head can go in and out more easily?) Apparently the NICE guidelines for induction have changed very recently and they now recommend induction before 42 weeks as risk to baby increases at 42 weeks from 0.1% to 0.2% after 42 weeks. Brierley happy for me to go to 42 weeks and over if have regular scans although being a scientific type of person I'm unwilling to go against medical stats. So will probably book in for induction at 41 + 5. Anyone else had to be induced after planning home birth? I realise induction will start with prostaglandin pessary, and if that works there is the possibility of having relatively natural birth (albeit in hospital), however if that doesn't work I'm facing a similar experience to last time with lots of wires/drips etc and no moving around (I don't think I can face synto drip without epidural - although who knows?) Any other ideas for induction? I've considered castor oil as a last resort - but don't much fancy the nausea aspect when have enough to cope with going through birth...anyone done it successfully? Is it at all possible to recreate that home birth environment in hospital while being induced? Has anyone taken their own pool into kings (in case pool rooms not available?) and managed to use it? x

Our nanny regularly uses the 63 bus with a phil and teds and has told me of several bad experiences, always with the same bus driver. Usually they are understanding when she asks if she can get on at the exit door then swipe her oyster and most are happy for her to do that. There is one driver though who doesn't let her (even though the bus is empty) so she has had to wait for the next bus. Its so ridiculous. Nasty man. I wonder if its the same guy you ran into Clare. What a stupid design change as well. We've been thinking about complaining to TFL about him but feel like it probably won't do any good.

Alleyns school Founder's Day was today and they had three parachutists jumping out of a helicopter and landing in the school grounds as part of the celebrations and linked to the school CCF. My 18 month old was there with me watching it and was completely entranced!

I just found this thread in the wanted section: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?28,451659 and am going to try Emma who is recommended in there by several people next week. Her website is http://www.emmas-beauty.co.uk/ and she seems to work from her home (based on Colyton Road)

Hi Helen. What time are you meeting tomorrow? My daughter still naps so we're not likely to make it down until 3.30 or so - is that too late? Can you send me your no. and I can text to see if you're all still around x

When I was pregnant first time around I begged my doctor to let me know what I could take as I was literally sneezing all day. He checked and eventually said piriton was fine. As someone points out, not the best but better than nothing. They won't sell it to you though at the pharmacy if you are pregnant and say it's for yourself so this time round I just lie to the pharmacists and say it's for my husband. Bad hayfever is truly horrible! I had acupuncture for it as well last time I was pregnant but not sure it did much although it may work for some. When I was not pregnant or breastfeeding I was prescribed the hardcore steroids and am looking forward to being able to take them again!!

When I used to volunteer at a charity shop the unsellable things (eg stained, with holes, very very outdated nylon homemade dresses etc) were bagged up and the shop got ?1 a bag for it from a rag guy who came each week - not sure what he then did with it though. Shame about the difficulties around knowing whether doorstep collectors are genuine charities - I have used them in the past but may switch back to dropping in to a shop. Does anyone know if the marie curie and help the aged bags are genuine? They have charity numbers.

I picked up a leaflet at Jags about a course there. Haven't been yet as my daughter is a little young, but I think she'll love it. I think it was from 18months. BABY BOOTER'S - DROP IN SESSIONS - Football & Ball skills for Toddlers aged 1 to 4 yrs - 11.00am - 12noon Sports Hall every Saturday & Sunday morning - ?3.00 per session http://www.jagssportsclub.co.uk/termcourses.asp

Oh I've had comments like this for both my pregnancies. I constantly get told how big I am, even though I am actually exactly on the graph - 33 cm FH, 33 weeks. I explain that I think its because I'm short that I seem really big but right up to the end of my last pregnancy people kept assuring me I was having twins. Some of my favourites were - during my last pregnancy: Lady at work (who I actually get on well with) "Oh aren't you getting bigger!" Me "Yes!" (rubbing bump proudly) Lady at work "Yes front and back" Same lady this time round (in front of entire office) "You're a different shape this time round" Me (warily) "Oh yes?" "Yes your bum is bigger" Me "Ummm ok" I don't know why it is deemed appropriate to comment on someone's bum when they are pregnant when you wouldn't do that at any other time?? and also getting asked whether I was giving birth to a baby rhinoceros. How is that appropriate???

Hello everyone. Lovely to meet you all too. 7th July works for me, and would be up for meeting on other nghts too, babysitting permitting. Also, just so you know since we talked about it last week, I rang jags and the pregnancy exercise class is not on tonight (instructor on hol) but should be back on next week.

I'm still planning on coming...and should be there around 6.30 as am coming straight from work (to avoid going home and getting daughter sad about me going out!) and am just filling time at work at the moment! See you later, anna

9th at G&B still good for me too.

I'm afraid I can't do during the day on Wednesday either as I'm also still working (last month...) but I'll be at Green and Blues in the evening of the 9th.

Hello Hannah, I'd love to try and get together in a few weeks once you're back from your hols. I start my maternity leave at the beginning of July so will be much more free then...trying to wrap things up at work before I go so only have occasional days off during June but I'm sure we can work something out! Anna

I'm due with my second on July 29th (my first will be 18 months by then) and am hoping to make it to the 9th June meet up, as long as I can get a babysitter! Will be lovely to meet some mums due around the same time.

Very helpful thread...I am due with my second at end of July when my first will be 18 months old and I'vbe been worrying about lots of the same things. There seem to be a lot of second babies due in the autumn judging by the 'autumn babies' thread but I haven't yet met any mummies having seconds around the same time as me so if anyone is I'd be very keen to meet up? Otherwise perhaps we can be honorary members of the September club? :)

Thank you so much - very helpful! Already printed out (back to back - worked perfectly) and in purse!

Those statistics are for East Dulwich Ward only as that is James Barber's ward. I believe the statistics would be worse for Peckham Rye ward which includes the area around Forest Hill Road. A map of the various wards can be found here: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/downloads/download/2246/parliamentary_constituencies_and_ward_boundaries

I'm currently doing a course with Kristin Hayward http://www.kristinhayward.com/ I've only done one class so far but she is great and explains things really well. She was recommended to me by another friend who did the course and found it really helpful during her (drug free!) home birth with her baby 18 months ago.

I can do the 9th!

Thanks for the information James - very helpful. Do you have the same data for Peckham rye ward which I think is more relevant for those of us living in the 'black hole' around forest hill road? Thanks

I'll be at the jags exercise class tonight (7pm) in case anyone else is feeling energetic! It's really not too hardcore and the instructor is really nice.

Unfortunately I can't make that date as on hol but would love to come along to the next get together. Have fun!

I really don't think there's one best answer. I hope you recover soon born&brED - lots of helpful advice here as usual x