Bellenden Belle

Been using mine for six years and I must say I absolutely love it and have tried to convert all that will listen. Much more comfortable than tampons - what others say about the frequency of changing is absolutely right. And has saved me a fair bit of money as well after the initial investment. Do it.

So five weeks after a forceps delivery of a rather large baby and I can barely stand up from sitting due to pain in my coccyx / tailbone. Has anyone experienced this? Any advice on treatment? I understand some doctors don't take it very seriously and others recommend surgery.....this is very depressing as I'm desperate to stay active and get out and about..

Just to add that Natal Hypnotherapy and Hypnobirthing are slightly different - the former being the option I followed. Whilst there is a lot of crossover the key difference is that natal hypnotherapy doesn't teach particular breathing techniques - it does talk about focusing on your breathing but it isn't prescriptive. Personally this worked for me as I didn't want to over-complicate things.

I was booked in to do a course - not with Kirsten - and it got cancelled. Having already been slightly sceptical and wondering if I was wasting money I decided to just read Maggie Howell's Effective Birth Preparation and listen to the accompanying CD. I can't have listened to the CD more than four times, falling asleep during two of them - that, with my epi-no I put in the Good /Intentions category - and I was pretty convinced I hadn't put in the requisite 'practice' for it to work. And yet, I know the hypnobirthing techniques I picked up got me through my 30hour labour. Certain key phrases and ideas from the book and CD came inmediately to me at the start of labour and supported me through each contraction. I amazed myself at how well I coped. I should add that I never expected to do well during labour - I have a very bad track record with medical interventions and I think friends would describe my normal reaction on a sliding scale of very anxious to 'on the brink of hysteria'. So I would definitely recommend giving it a try. You are welcome to borrow the book and cd from me.

So, if I were a rich person who until now has been paying my taxes properly and has no plans to move house..... #winning

I received a gorgeous gifts of customised cupcakes for my baby shower at work - they looked wonderful and tasted absolutely divine. The company's not based in East Dulwich but I've checked and they are happy to deliver this far: http://www.cupcakeangelslondon.co.uk

I received a gorgeous gifts of customised cupcakes for my baby shower at work - they looked wonderful and tasted absolutely divine. The company's not based in East Dulwich but I've checked and they are happy to deliver this far: http://www.cupcakeangelslondon.co.uk

Can I put in a small plea for a weekday session....to be truthful, I want to spend time with my other half on a Saturday as he's at work the rest of the week, but would love the chance to workout during the week when he's not around and I have plenty of time on my hands.

Hello all, It's been an age since I posted - so huge congratulations to everyone and welcome to all the lovely new arrivals. Sal - it was lovely seeing you as I arrived at Kings for my induction- you looked absolutely radiant which is even more incredible considering your arduous labour. Well done you and hello Isabella. Hamish finally arrived on Friday 24th at 3.45am, weighing 8lbs 14. He's an absolute charmer....and even has his own twitter account - @ThatChapHamish Hope to see you all at some point in the next fortnight. Caroline x

Seriously....mistakes happen, and just as you suggest, it could well be that an item from the next person's shopping slipped in. To suggest that someone working on a checkout is going to be adding 'Pot Hoops' to your bill and smuggling them out at the end of the day is quite extraordinary. And such suspicion perhaps reflects more on yourself than any poor shop assistant that you are so graciously refraining from "dobbing" in.

zeban Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I think it's absolutely right that a higher wage > earner loses child benefit. they should never have > got it in the first place, what a farce the last > labour government were. child benefit was > originally introduced as a subsidy for those > living in poverty. Child benefit has always been a universal tax and has never previously differentiated between social class or been means tested. It was actually introduced not as "a subsidy for those living in poverty" but instead was introduced after the second world war to encourage larger families to restore the birth rate. I'm curious as to your comment about "what a farce the last labour government were" - in what respect? As far as supporting families - particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds - I would say the last Labour government achieved a great dea and that many of those achievements are now being undone.

Tavia Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- . When you say that it costs 1,400 > for a full time place, is this per term? And there > are 4 terms? It seems to cheap to be the annual > price. > I suspect ?1,400 is the monthly full time price.

david_carnell Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Steak and salad. Wine. Bed. You can be all done in > under an hour! ;-) Yeah I'm a lucky girl....we had this delivered at 5am to our door this morning: http://www.eastlondonsteak.co.uk/ourboxes/the-valentines-box.html

It's made with water in our house - slowly stirred on the stove - a dash of milk (or cream) added at the end along with toppings which range from bananas to raisins, honey to syrup.

I couldn' see any evidence of this being the product of a grant - where did that come from Huguenot? In fact it was rather advertisment- heavy which actually suggests a significant amount of work has been put into raising production funds.

I second The Gate in Hammersmith and there speaks a devoted carnivore, so they must be doing something right.

http://www.realnappiesforlondon.org.uk/ You probably already know this but there is also a London-wide scheme that gives you a ?40 voucher for cloth nappies to get you started. You can use it at lots of different retailers including the nappyladdy.

bluesuperted Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Loren - I know Richard will say yes yes yes! And I > know all the mums will adore a 6 week old in their > midst :) Just to say I absolutely agree with the above. I went along and haven't even given birth yet but Richard has already told me that there are mums with babies in the other group so I'm hoping to continue once I've given birth (and got into the swing of things). Pop a sling on and join us!

Quite frankly Cam123 you're not getting the hang of this forum at all, are you? After all you have now posted this in the ED news and gossip section - when really it should be in the About this forum, or at least the Lounge. No one gets paid to monitor and tidy this forum so it is the responsibility of its users to play nicely by the rules and to not expect special treatment simply because you might consider your post to be of utmost importance.

I went along today to the 3.30pm group at Dulwich Constitutional Club (I'v currently got a bump rather than a baby/ toddler) and really enjoyed it. Richard is both hugely encouraging and totally unfazed by toddlers....I'm looking forward to becoming a regular during my maternity leave.

I'm hoping to pop along with the bump too....can't wait to meet all the new arrivals!

Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Careful, old bean, that lobster contains > prostaglandin. Save it until you have the 'get > that thing out of me NOW!' screaming abdabs. At 38 weeks that's exactly what I'm after - this thing's fully cooked and just freeloading now ... And this is a woman ready for some pate and soft cheese!

Just to say that we went last night to the "soup kitchen" and can confirm that both the lobster soup and the Aquacotta soup were absolutely delicious. The aquacotta was packed with vegetables and herbs - I'd say it tasted of good health, but it was more interesting than that - the toasted bread it came with was excellent too. As for the lobster soup - it was good to see proper chunks of lobster in the thick creamy broth too. These soups were clearly made with love and attention - and a whole load of good well-sourced ingredients. It wasn't a surprise to hear that the chef from the deli Frog on the Green had a hand to play in the venture. Lovely people too - I heartily recommend you wander along.

A huge congratulations to Pippa and Steph... Pippa, I'm so glad that you escaped a c-section and that Kate came in the nick of time! And I really hope you enjoy having just the little 'un to yourself for the next few weeks. Steph - it is so good to hear you had such a great experience with the Oakwood midwives - I'm with them too and certainly have found them terrific so far - really compassionate and reassuring. And Nicky - I have everything crossed for you that Thursday (tomorrow! You might meet your little one tomorrow!) goes well - can't wait to hear your news x

Oh Pickle - I am so sorry to hear that. Will keep all my fingers and toes crossed that things move along soon... Congratulations to all the newborns. I am pretty quiet at the moment as I am still at work (boo hiss!) but I finish on Thursday (hoorah!). And then the waiting game begins I guess......