Autumn babies club (due Sept/Oct/Nov 2012)

[firstlifefilms]

Hi everyone!

We are expecting our first on the 29th september and really looking forward to it.

However none of my friends are expecting and I'm pretty clueless about the whole motherhood thing. Scary!

Also I'm 18 weeks and by tummy is not very big at all.

I had my first midwife appointment on Wednesday and she said everything seams normal including the tummy size so I'm not that desperate yet.

It'd be great to meet other mums to be soon xx

[willish]

Thanks Indiana for tip re NCT - you're right about them getting booked quickly....we've doing the ones in West Dulwich starting in July because ED classes are all booked!

I've also just booked some pregnancy yoga classes offered by Sitaram in King's on Thursday evenings. They seem flexible as in don't have course dates and you can change class day according to your schedule if needed. Website is: www.sitaram.org in case anyone else is interested. My reflexologist recommended them.

Firstlifefilms - I'm due a few days before you and my tummy's not big at all either - just looks like I've had a big lunch!

x

[sillywoman]

Sorry to intrude on your thread; I'm the ED NCT teacher, and I just wanted to let you know that I do still have plenty of places available on my June & July classes. It's true the evening sessions are all booked but I have spaces on my 2 day intensive classes running 13th & 20th June; 26th June & 3rd July; 5th July & 12th July;and 10th &17th July. I aslo have spaces on my courses that run from 28th August to 17th September, and 13th - 29th September (evenings and saturday morinings) and no bookings at all on the 2 day course running on the 7th & 14th September. The 2 day classes, though understandably a bit less popular than the evening/sat sessions, can be a lot of fun and we get through a lot of information in those 2 days.

Apologies again, I know that when booking online it can be tricky to get the bigger picture picture of what's available & just wanted to correct any sense that there were no classes left in ED at the time when you might need them.

Good luck to all of you & your lovely babies. I look forward to meeting some of you in the coming months. :)

SW

P.S. Don't forget to book into the NHS classes too, the midwives that run them are fab, really helpful and down to earth (and they're freeeee!!).

[willish]

Hi sillywoman - thanks for your post. I did speak to NCT before booking (maybe you!?) but I wanted an evening session which as you say are all booked.

Could you please let me (and others on this thread) know about the right timing for doing the courses - eg should finish at least X weeks before due date etc, as some of the later evening ones you mention may be suitable. Also, you mention doing the NHS classes too - I requested these but was going to withdraw given we've signed up for NCT as I understood a lot of the same material was covered but is your advice that people do both if possible?

Thank you for your help and advice!

[sillywoman]

Well we do tend to cover the same stuff as the NHS courses (there's only so much labour & birth info the antenatal courses can get through!), but I do recommend them just 'cos our local ones are good, the midwives are smashing & well informed, and they are, after all, free:) however that's my personal view, not general NCT advice, and if your time is limited then you'd be as well sticking with one or other.

I guess the advantage of the NCT ones is smaller groups, I get more time with you as individuals to work with you & your specific circumstances, & I can focus a bit more on how to get the best out of the system. Also it's easier to get good support group going when there's 12 of you (6 couples) all getting to know each other during the courses.

Timings are up to you, but generally it's good to aim to do a course that ends when you're about 37/38weeks - though I've had a few chancers who've come to courses ending at 39 or even 40 weeks! But sometimes babies will come significantly earlier - with Babies there's just no telling ;)

PM me if you'd like more details/information or if you just want to chat - that goes for anyone - I'd hate to highjack the thread.

[LittlePickers]

Hi all, joining the thread and saying hi. Due with my first on 13th Sept. I seem to have doubled in size during the last week :-)

I have been going to a good preggy yoga class on Sunday nights in ED but not sure if it's going to continue as the yoga teacher is moving out of the area - will keep you all posted if yes. It's mostly ladies quite a lot further on than me. I've found it really good for unwinding before work again on Mondays!

[splodge]

Hi Ladies,

Congratulations on your pregnancies! Myself and my partner are independant fully trained breast feeding specialists based in the East Dulwich area.If you would be interested in us coming along and giving a free talk on breastfeeding and answering any questions or queries you may have please feel free to PM me or reply on this thread.Alternatively, if you find that you require assistance further on down the line please get in touch. We do private home visits!!

[Indiana]

Hi again,

I have just had an email from JAGs and their Pregnant Bums, Tums class with Oriane is back on again on Sundays from 7 - 8pm costing ?8.50 for non-members.

I am going to start going - though I can't make this Sunday - will hopefully go on Sunday 20th May. Anyone else want to join?

Hope everyone is doing ok -I am almost 17 weeks now - it seems to be speeding along now! Looking forward to meeting some of you later in the year perhaps

I

[StillSpace]

Hi lovely ladies and bumps!

I wanted to let you know that I run a pregnancy yoga class on Sunday evenings at Bespoke Space, East Dulwich. Classes are from 7-8.15pm

This is a relaxed friendly class in a lovely studio just off Lordship Lane. A great way to stretch and strengthen in preparation for labour, learn specific breathing techniques and get some much needed deep relaxation whilst meeting other mums to be in your area.

The studio is fully equipped so you just need to bring yourself, your bump and something comfy to wear.

The course is ?70 for 6 weeks from May 27 to July 1 inclusive.

Booking is essential as this course always fills up. To book or for more information contact Salome:

[email protected]

07710 178020

www.stillspaceyoga.co.uk

[firstlifefilms]

Hi Indiana,

I would love to try this class.

Can you give me more details like address and their contact number?

Thanks!

[helbel]

Hi all

Just wanted to join the thread...just had my 12 week scan last week and am due with my 2nd on 16 November. My first will be 2 when the new little one arrives.

I was also thinking of starting a yoga or pilates class. I spoke to a guy at the Goose Green Fair today from Push studios and they do a pre-natal pilates class at 7-8 on a Thursday which I think I might try. Is more expensive than the JAGS one, but not sure I can motivate myself to get out of the house on a Sunday night, so thought Thursday might be more hopeful.

Would be lovely to meet up with some of you there or another time.

H

[gebbjane]

Here are the details for jags - looks as if they do yoga as well on a thursday night. http://www.jagssportsclub.co.uk/aerobics.asp

[gebbjane]

And welcome helbel, my first will also be 2 when the new baby arrives in september.

[Indiana]

Thanks gebbjane for posting the details - I hadn't got round to adding them!

I am going to go this Sunday - am feeling very sluggish at the moment

My first will be 2, almost 3 when this one arrives in October

[Cheltenham]

Hello

Just found this thread and would love to join. I am expecting my second baby (due 10 October) by which time my first will be just over 2. I feel huge this time (sob)!

I found this thread while looking for a pregnancy yoga class - I would like to go on a Sunday night so if anyone has had a good experience with the classes on at that time then let me know. Perhaps see some of you then too!

On a different subject, I found the NCT course really helpful the first time round but don't remember anything (or of the birth itself to be honest). Any second/third timers considered or attended one of their refresher courses....any good?

[gebbjane]

Hi Cheltenham, was too wondering about the nct refresher classes. My friend just did one over in Clapham but did it to meet people as just moved to the area forgot to ask her if any good - all she mentioned was them sharing horrible birth stories !!!! So would any one recommend I did contact nct and is one running in July so if I decide to go ahead should book on.

[Cheltenham]

Thanks gebbjane! NCT have got back to me too and the closest one seems to run in Herne Hill. One in July and another in September (the September one will be too late for you though I think?). She said those booked on the July one had due dates in August and September and that I should sign up for the September one as those already booked have due dates around mine in early October.....

Hoping it won't be focussing on nasty birth stories though...urgh. I'm looking for tips on dealing with more than one and how to introduce the baby to a toddler without triggering all out war!

[helbel]

Thanks gebbjane for details of jags yoga on a Thursday. Think I might try to give that one a go, as is cheaper than the push studios one. May try to start next week as can't do this week.

Is the NCT refresher course as long as the course for first timers do you know? Not sure I'd be up for doing a full course again, but a couple of hours on dealing with toddler and baby I'm sure would be useful.

[Cheltenham]

Hi helbel....The ones I were looking at were much shorter which is great (I didn't want to do a long course again either). It's one day (9:30 to 15:30) for the ladies only and then an evening session (20:00 to 22:00) for both partners a few nights later. They also organise a reunion session once all the babies have arrived (I think). Hope this helps.

[louloulabelle]

Hi

I'm due sep 8th with 3rd baby, that will be 3 under 3 and a half. Yikes!

[Lottie87]

Hello everyone, my first is due 30th October!

My boyfriend and I are looking at moving into the area from Herne Hill, because we're currently in a studio which is small for two of us, let alone three! Has anyone had the moving while pregnant situation? I'm getting a bit stressed to say the least...

Hope you're all doing well. xx

[Norfolkvillas]

@Lottie87, I have been in the position of moving whilst pregnant - or at least I was pregnant when the whole house-selling / -hunting shebang started - we didn't actually move until my son was born and about 4 months old, but we ended up moving into rented which meant the additional complexity of storage and a further move when he was 11 months.

My point is that I found the actual moves very stress free - it was the anticipation and worrying about it beforehand which was much more stressful than the reality. I would really recommend just throwing a bit of money at it if you can and have people come to pack for you and do the move - for a studio, I can't imagine it would be more than a couple of hundred quid, and it makes the world of difference knowing you just continue your normal life right up until the day before the move, with no other preparations to worry about. We have always used a company called Clockwork who I think are excellent, but there are also plenty of recommended 'man and van' services on the forum who I'm sure would offer this service...

Good luck!

[firstlifefilms]

Hi Lottie87, I know your pain!

I'm pregnant with my first - due on the 29th September and we're moving not once, but twice!

Next week we are moving to a rental flat for two months and hopefully will be moving to our house in ED in August.

We've been packing since 7:30 today!

It's not easy but I'm so excited with so many changes that I'm loving it.

It can get very stressful sometimes trying to plan the whole thing but I also feel optimistic this is a change for the better so I'm looking forward to the next few months ahead.

Don't worry, take one step at a time and enjoy the journey!

[Sidney78]

Hi Lottie87 I have just moved rental flat (at 17 - 20 weeks) and it was pretty stressful I have to say! It was more the thought of moving than the actual doing tho!

The trouble I had was I was just too tired to pack, so I'd also recommend that you get someone to do that for you.

After we mOved into our new place we had all sorts of problems with the rubbish estate agents that caused a lot more stress and worry, so dont take no gumpf from nobody...and have lots of nice baths with a candle. It is lovely to start a fresh with a baby on the way though, and start nesting!

All the best x

[gebbjane]

I moved to east dulwich three weeks before my daughter was born - if you can afford it definitely pay someone to do the packing. Is your partner organised can he take cate of it all - dealing with removal company etc...

I was lucky my partner did all that and he packed me off to a hotel for the day on the actual move date :)