Hi AlliPet and Musicmama. Yes, the meet-ups are still happening but tend to get arranged by email now. If you click on 'contact poster' and let me know your contact details, I'll add you the email list.

Hello! Saw old thread about the tuesday meet up--does that still happen? Am 31 weeks and would love to meet some blackheath / greennwich bumps and mums!

Hi AlliPet

have a look for NCT Greenwich on Facebook - we'll be organising some get togethers for pregnant mums in the area, or email greenwichnctrep@googlemail.com

Hi All,

Can I join in? Am 33 weeks pregnant so not sure if open to bumps or not? Live in Greenwich and would love to meet some mummies or mummies to be in the area!

xxx

hello ladies,

My name is Sofie and I met some of you at the Greenwich Union way back in March through DaisyJ and HelpI'vegotogivebirth who did my antenatal classes (I'm a qualified midwife).
On request of quite a few of Greenwich mums I am doing a weaning workshop on September 22nd from 7-9pm at the Greenwich West Arts and Community Centre on Greenwich High Road. The workshop will include:
. plan to introduce solid foods
. essential nutrients
. foods to avoid at each weaning stage
. meal ideas

The workshop is suitable for parents with babies from 3.5 months. It's an evening course so Dad can babysit but if this is not an option, bub is more than welcome to come.
The workshop costs £25 to attend. If anyone is interested please do call me on 07960606863.

x

Hi Fliss

I've emailed you in response to your CAT message, but wasn't sure if you had received. In case I typed your address wrong or something, this is just to say that we do still meet on Tuesdays, usually in Greenwich park if nice weather or Bar Du Musee or Cafe Rouge if not nice. Do you live Manor Park/Manor Lane area? If so we could meet and go together. I'll be leaving around 11.30.

Hi was just wondering if the Tuesday meet up are still happening. If there is one tomo and someone sees this could they post where it is. Haven't got anyoe's e-mail address and not sure about how to exchange them without breaking privacy codes etc.
I tried as you suggested PowDoc to contact you through contact poster but its failing for some reason.
Many thanks.

Anyone up for meeting tomorrow? Looks like the weather is meant to be ok, so we could finally have a meet up in the park. Usual spot (by the herb garden).

Any thoughts on a wet weather alternative. Paul maybe, as a change from Cafe Rouge?

Shall we say 1pm (I think that the midday was only because of aquanatal, which is the morning during holidays. Would give the bumps more time afterwards if they wanted to go home and change).

Dear all,
I have this cot for sale its in new condition just a few months old.
Is anyone interested
I'll take any fair offer!
Thanks!

If you click on 'Contact Poster' you can send me a message with your email details without putting it on the board (or can send them to anyone else you might know, if that's easier). It'll come to me as an email.

It has been ages since I was on and very close to having my bambino. (Next week to be precise, have to be induced). Soo nervous.

I was wondering could I be included in the e-mail loop about the tues meet ups cos soon I will have a little one to bring along. Not sure how I go about giving out my address/ getting in on it without breaking the privacy thing- help!

Due to fun complications I have sadly never made it with my bump. Look forward to meeting everyone when have had bambino.

Message deleted by Mumsnet.

Message deleted by Mumsnet.

Yes, a weekly thing now, it seems. See you soon. x

Oh dear, missed this Tuesday meet up! Is this a weekly thing now?
Probably see some of you around and about anyway!

Beatrice and I will be there too. Looking forward to seeing you all! x

Yay! Looks as though tomorrow is shaping up to be a nice little gathering!

Lets hope its sunny as I'm not sure cafe rouge can cope with all the buggies we can bring!

Rosa XX

Hi everyone. I haven't been on for ages, either. Looking forward to seeing lots of you tomorrow.

Tupperwife and ellie - grr at knock down ginger (we had a spate of that at around 4pm most days for about six weeks around the time M was born - drove me mad) and noisy neighbours - I think we live on the noisiest street in the world (and don't get me started on the bloke that visits our opposite neighbours every Friday night and sounds his horn to say goodbye at 2 in the morning every week without fail) .

Hi Clare,

Thanks for putting this on. I meant to put it on here as well as sending the email and then O cried and I totally forgot...

See you tomorrow.

Hi girls, haven't been on here for ages so thought I'd say hi and congrats to all the new bumps! Hope you're all getting on OK??

Yes Tues meet-ups are going ahead... it seems to be done by email now but don't think you're on it Ellie. Tomorrow, if the weather's nice it will be in Greenwich park (in the same spot as mentioned in Bump's email above), if the weather is iffy then it will be in Cafe Rouge. See some of you there.

Clare & Layla xx

Hello,
tupperwife Bloody hell. Hope they've got bored by now. Brings out the inner daily mail reader - I blame the parents etc. Since birth of little one I have been completely intolerant of any late night disturbance at all (and now define late night as after 9pm!!). Hence slanging matches on the landing with downstairs neighbour who thinks its ok to have loud parties and band practice in block of flats.
Elk sorry to hear about the in law problems. Hope they've made their departure. In general I find its best to get my other half to "negotiate" with mine.

Haven't been in touch for a bit. Are people still meeting on Tuesday lunchtimes?

Slightly OT, but I'd like to apologise in advance for my grumpiness tomorrow at Robert Owen. Bloomin local kids have been playing knock down ginger and kicking at our front door tonight, unleashing my inner tigress protecting her cub persona . Hence I'm still awake... Would I be unreasonable to return the favour when I'm up for Tupperbaby's first breakfast at 5am?

How many bedrooms do you have, elk4baby? Unfortunately, we've already turned one bedroom into a nursery so we just don't have the space to put everyone up... what a pity!

We do have another spare bedroom but because of turning the bigger one into a nursery, we've had to move DH's computer and all his stuff into the other room and there are boxes all over the bed... would you believe it?! Obviously I can't lift heavy boxes, so it's just not possible to invite people to stay.

I reckon you need to find another use for any potential spare rooms REALLY fast. As soon as DH mentioned local hotels (and prices) to his mother, her plan of coming to stay for a week immediately after the birth immediately changed to an afternoon visit!

Get a big bottle of antibacterial hand gel and hand it to your FIL every time he coughs. With any luck, it'll annoy him as much as he's annoying you. And I know what you mean about parents-in-law walking into your bedroom - last time they stayed, my MIL came into our bedroom at 6am one morning, sat on the bed and started chatting away! Maybe a big notice with the words "Private - please knock" would get the message across? But somehow I doubt it. When do they leave???

Tuesday meet*-*up

I sent round an email, am cross-posting here for those whose addresses I don't have:

tomorrow. Weather doesn’t look too good, so I suggest:

Time: 12 noon onwards
Venue: If fine - Greenwich Park, grass in front of café (Cow and Coffee Bean) by King William Walk entrance (I thought this was king William Gate – think it’s actually St Mary’s Gate – anyway, it’s the nearest to Greenwich town centre, at end of King William Walk). Bring a rug and some food, or buy food at the café (limited range).

If raining, Paul’s at the National Maritime Museum. It’s on the mezzanine level and there are lifts. You need to get a (free) entrance ticket on the way in.

Thanks all for your advice. I'll try the doctor excuse, though I doubt it'll work with these people as they seem to think that no person but them know what's right. My FIL decided to walk into our bedroom without knocking while I was BFing and was all sweet and innocent: 'oh, what are you doing? are you eating?' . Anton, who's easily destracted, of course, had to coo which attracted even more FIL attention. DH asked him out, thank God, but if he wasn't there I wouldn't quite know what to do. I don't want to offend the man, but there must be some boundaries, regardless of how HE was brought up and what HE's used to.
Maybe I'm just being picky, I don't know...

OH and not asking them to come to stay again is not really possible. When Anton was born, they didn't wait for an invitation, but simply said 'oh, we're planning on coming when he's around three months, as earlier he's probably a little too young and might get ill from foreign germs'. So no invitation needed for these people .
I really find the 'foregin germs' comment ironic, as they came as a threesome - MIL FIL and his awful cough! They tried natural remedies to get FIL better before coming, but looks like those didn't do the trick (he doesn't take antibiotics, as has a sensitive stomach, go figure). He is STILL coughing quite badly, but they keep telling me he's no longer infectious. While I might believe that he isn't, I find it very disturbing that he coughs covering his mouth with his hand and then without a second thought picks up and plays with Anton... While we don't really 'sterilize' the house, FIL's behaviour is almost like asking for the little boy to get ill.
Am I crazy for thinking such behaviour is unacceptable?!

Morning
I understand the MIL problem. Mine followed me around the flat last week almost sitting on my shoulder whilst giving me a full commentary on what Elena was doing (I already knew what she was doing - screaming with wind whilst I held her). Apart from walking in to other rooms to escape her I couldn't think of how to get her to stop. My only advice is don't ask them to come to stay again, not for a while anyway!
I'll be at the picnic tomorrow so will meet you all then.
x

still nothing doing here, so I'll probably see you all again on Tues . Rie, it would be good to see you if we can both make it!

Elk4Baby - that sounds like a nightmare. I have no advice but you have my full commiserations! My parents-in-law are very well-meaning, but I expect we're going to have similar problems. MIL does tend to say things like "is it time for a cup of tea then? I'd like Earl Grey if you have it", leaving me with no choice but to make it for her! Even DH admits that this is unlikely to change - and has said he doesn't want his parents to stay because it's just too much hard work...

My mother has already told me that the doctor excuse works every time, so def worth a try. Unfortunately, I bet she won't take any notice of it when I use it on her - and she's likely to be the worst baby-thief going!

Otherwise I think you have to be strong - refuse to give Anton over in the first place, telling FIL that last time he held the baby, he overtired him and made him ill. As for outdated advice, you can smile sweetly and say "isn't it funny how much things have changed in just a few decades?". A friend gave her MIL a copy of one of her baby books (What to Expect, I think), and the unsolicited advice dried up pretty quickly - there were a few comments such as 'and what does this author know?', until my friend said her doctor had recommended the book (the doctor excuse again!).

Good luck, really hope you get through the visit without bloodshed...

Tupperwife - that's very funny. How about "with all that swine flu going around mums have been advised to feed as often as possible for the immune benefits..."

elk4baby You have my absolute sympathy about the outdated advice from rellies. Somehow I can tell my blood relatives that they're talking cobblers but it's more difficult when it's a friend or someone from Tupperhubbys side... I either listen like I've honestly never heard that advice before (leaving baby in the garden whilst you prepare dinner, weaning at 3 months etc) and that I'm going to put it into action just as soon as they've left . Or (my favourite) mentally to add 'and look how messed up my family is' to each golden nugget of advice. We always gave babies splintery bones to gnaw on and look how messed up my family is

I kept using Tupperbabys jaundice, which cleared by about day 10, until he was about a month old as the reason that nobody else could hold him for long "The doctor said I should breastfeed him as often as possible, so I'll take him back now and try giving him a snack" For older family, the Dr is always right so they gave him back without any comment.

Is Anton small enough to wear in a sling during the day? Not even my Mum would rummage around in a sling to get Tupperbaby.

I'll leave someone else to answer the difficult question about the in laws and answer the one about Robert Owen!

Robert Owen is a children's centre on Commerell Street. They used to do a 'First Steps' group on a Monday afternoon facilitated by the health visitors - basically a chance to sit around with other mums of young babies and ask questions, sometimes with a theme to the session, like weaning or baby massage.

That session has had to stop because of the health visitors' workload, but Robert Owen had a scheduled parent and baby group on a Tuesday morning which no-one was attending. Tupperwife is trying to get it off the ground again and has been encouraging people on this thread and from the old Robert Owen group to go along. 9:30 if you fancy it...

btw, could someone kindly fill me in on what 'Robert Owen' is all about?

Hi again all,

Wow, I have really missed a lot...

For the past few weeks it really felt like I brought another newborn home. Sleep has become an obsession . It only now feels like I'm again starting to lift my head above the water... .

se8mum, sorry you're leaving. We really should meet and talk over the next few days. If nothing else, to 'cry' on each other's shoulder

My parents-in-law are visitng for a couple of weeks, so I'm looking for any excuse to leave the house with Anton. My MIL is difficult to get along with (basically behaves like she's at home and it's I who's her guest), while my FIL is like a child himself (even complains if not fed on time). While I can live with them (for a short while only!), a baby has added a whole diffirent dimension. They've only been here a couple of days and at first said they can't really remember anything about babies. But now, I not only have a ever-flowing fountain of unsolicited (and VERY dated) advice to deal with, but also a grandfather who likes to hold the baby so much that he even sometimes refuses to give me my son ! While I don't mind them playing together, I do mind when it comes to naptime. Anton is obviously tired and is on his last 'breath', but FIL refuses and says something like 'oh, he's still smiling, so he must want to play some more'. It feels like someone is borrowing money on my account - they get to enjoy it, but then I have to deal with the debt!(crying, overtired and overstimulated baby who wants to nap but can't). And God knows (and some of you who'd come across my threads in the sleep section), sleep is difficult as it is! Agrhh...
Any advice on how to deal with such situations politely?! I'd really appreciate it.

Morning
The round the world winding thing sounds funny but I'll give it a go today.
We'll be at the Tuesday meet up next week so I'll let you know how we get on with it.
Thanks for the suggestions girls.
xx

hi all,
since the weather looks nice today i'm going to the park instead of pauls - be on the grass near the entrance to the maritime museum from the park side - under the trees there, from 1pm.
hope to see some of you there XX

Good to see you today Tupperwife (which one is Hedwig's theme?). I meant to ask, are you planning on doing the Robert Owen group again next week? We'll be free, so you could have a guaranteed attendee!

Might see you tomorrow at Running Mummies.

A friend whose baby was in SCBU taught me the 'round the world' winding technique; baby sits on your lap, one hand on back, t'other supporting baby's chin and you draw big circles horizontally with the top of baby's head. It looks absolutely bizarre a little strange, but it really works! And because it doesn't involve any patting it's fab at night when you want to keep them as sleepy as possible.

<wanders off humming Hedwig's theme>

Ah, don't be sad. You might get a baby who wants winding after every feed until she's weaned .

Would be good to see you at one of the meet ups.

Hi Powdoc
I'll carry on with the Infacol for now. She is 5 and a half weeks already so I'm already half way to her being able to wind herself - although that makes me feel a bit sad. Its exciting that she is getting bigger and learning to do new things all the time but it seems to be going so fast already. I want her to stay a little bundle!
I missed the meet up AGAIN. Im putting it in diary for next week.
x

Sorry all, I'm a bit rubbish at organising meet-ups as I keep forgetting who I've told and how...

I think it's now fairly safe to say that the Tuesday meet-up is a regular fixture, though the lunch venue is still a movable feast.

It's from 12 noon on a Tuesday - we could make it slightly later, the reason for the time is because the antenatal aqua class at the Arches is from 10 till 11, and the meet-up evolved from a bunch of us being absolutely starving afterwards... I think it's quite good to keep it relatively early so that if pregnant women do stumble across this thread, they have an opportunity to meet up. Otherwise there is a tendency to separate into 'bump meet-ups' and 'baby meet-ups' based on activities. Personally I really like the fact that we get the chance to see babies at all stages and can ask those further ahead for advice (or, as in today's example, for a nappy-changing masterclass!!).

The 'lunch' tends to go on for a while anyway, so if 12 is just way too early or clashes with other commitments, you can drop in later - though best to phone ahead and check on venue!

I've been sending round an email reminder, along with any changes to venue, to those whose email addresses I have - am happy to add more people to the list if you contact me, or indeed anyone else on here. I just don't want to post my email address and mobile number on the forum, in case it gets picked up by spambots.

Not sure if I'll make next Tuesday (if I do, I'll be 8 days overdue and you may not want to sit next to me!) but I'm sure the meet-up will go ahead anyway.

12 noon onwards, Greenwich Park outside Cow and Coffee Bean cafe (just inside and to the right of King William Gate entrance, off King William Walk - closest entrance to Greenwich centre) if sunny, inside cafe if raining to decide on new plan of action. If you get there late and there's nobody there, phone around! If one of the regulars could confirm on here, and send an email, that would be great too.

Phew, that was a long one... well, hope everyone's well, guess I may not see ppl for a little while but I'm looking forward to seeing the new babies - and introducing my own! SE8mum - we'll miss you, you will stay in touch on here as well, won't you? Anyway, I'll be visiting you en route to my parents' house in the not-too-distant future!

Morning all. Have a lovely time in the park today, hope the weather stays nice. I'll try to make it next time but still getting to grips with a new baby and the big wide world this week!

A question for all (esp the new Mums)... does anyone know of or use a mobile hairdresser in the area? I have a wedding to go to in a few weeks and the thought of sitting in a salon for 3 hours while highlights are cooking doesn't appeal with a newborn demanding a feed nearly twice an hour! If anyone can recommend a local person who can come to my house I'd be v. grateful.

Thanks everyone for the congratulations messages. Se8mum we will miss you . xx

Hi all,

Bumpmakestwoandabit has been organising the Tuesday meet up again and people are meeting at midday tomorrow in the park. Under the trees by the Cow and Coffee Bean if it's sunny. Inside the cafe if not to agree on somewhere else to go (cafe not big enough for prams). Bring something to sit on if it's sunny but the grass is damp!

Hi Rie,

I think breast fed babies are less windy, but most babies seem to be fairly windy when they are very little. You can check that her latch is right and she's not taking in too much air when she feeds, but other than that I only know about the various treatments: Infacol (with every feed); gripe water (for babies over four weeks) and careful winding. I'm not aware of anything else that can actually prevent wind - I think it's just the really immature digestive systems.

If it helps, our daughter was very windy at first. Lots of really loud screaming with wind pain. She's now 12 weeks and only even needs winding if she seems uncomfortable (about 20% of the time). We used Infacol from when she was about one week old until she was about seven or eight weeks.

Hi Everyone

Does anyone have a solution for wind? Elena has been very upset this week, she just seems to be very windy suddenly for no reason. I've started given her infacol and trying to keep her upright for about 10 mins after each feed but does anyone have any idea of how I can prevent it? Im breast feeding so thought that was supposed to make them less windy!!
Hope everyone had a goos weekend.

Feb80, I cant wait to meet little Beatrice, she has such a beautiful name!
I really need to start attending the Tuesday meet ups as I hardly know any Mums in the area, if there is one happening this week I'll try to make it.
x

Tupperwife - I will try and make it to Robert Owen on Tuesday, but little O has her jabs on Tuesday at 9:30, so it depends how long I have to wait and how she is afterwards. I went and got my tickets for Harry Potter today (after our chat by the park). Very excited!

Levi - the meet up is normally Tuesday, I think. Bumpmakestwoandabit has been organising, but her due date is Monday (I think) so she may not be there again. I wasn't there last week, so maybe someone else can confirm whether they're all meeting up on Tuesday?

Rosa - I'm going to try Running Mummies on Thursday (eek. I've heard it's hardcore on a Thursday) and am meeting a friend in the afternoon. I can will try and swing by in between though if people are meeting.

Have a good weekend all.

I'm definitely up for lunch on 16th. Keep me posted. Is picnic in park on for Wed if weather is good? I totally missed this week due to being stuck in the fabulous Lewisham job centre. joy... x

Congratulations feb80, Beatrice is a beautiful name!
I have news...I won´t be SE8mum for much longer, as I am moving to the countryside, oxfordshire, now that I know so many nice mums and babies here it´s quite scary to move to a tiny village where I don´t know anyone...I will have to become Ox15, I think. I hope to see some of you before and stay in touch and compare notes over mumsnet.
Elk, we should talk or meet before, as our babies are the same age and am also having a terrible week. Slept ONE HOUR last night!

Great news feb80, look forward to meeting you both again soon.

It's my final parenting class (preparing boys for starting school ; there's nothing like being forewarned!) on Thursday but we'll look in at the park on the way home if the weather is good.

BTW, for those of us in East Greenwich (or others well acquainted with the bus system) the Monday afternoon session at Robert Owen has now stopped because the HVs don't have time to organise it any more. So a group of us are adopting the baby group at Robert Owen on Tuesday mornings (9.30-11.30) instead. It's £1 to cover tea and biscuits. Hopefully see you there...

hi all,
is anyone up for a lunch on thurs 16th? I might suggest Paul's in the National Maritime Museum and the park if lovely weather?

congratulations Feb80! Really looking forward to seeing Beatrice (and you too, of course ).

My brother's wife gave birth on Tuesday evening, so I've been even less attentive to email/internet than usual. They'd intended a hospital birth (King's, Denmark Hill) but the baby was born on the bedroom floor - things happened a bit faster than expected
Just goes to show that you really can't plan for the birth! Obviously their baby swapped birth plans with Feb80's Beatrice...

I'm still up for lunch tomorrow, if anyone else is, but just to let the bumps know, aquanatal at the Arches is cancelled. Sue's on holiday and they haven't found a replacement who's qualified for pregnancy. She's on hols for 3 weeks so if you're planning to go this month, it's worth calling first. People can still use the leisure pool, if they want to.

CONGRATULATIONS FEB80!!!!
it seems like such a long time ago now we all first met up in the pub and beatrice was a little bump-ette, and now she's a BABY!!!
how fantastic and exciting!!
the 1st weeks are a blur, my advice is not to worry too much just rest rest rest when you can and enjoy it - it flies by!
XXX Rosa

Hi everyone,

Just checking in to say that baby Beatrice was born on Monday 29th June, 3.35pm at Lewisham Hospital weighing 8lbs 1oz. She certainly took her time as my waters broke last Thursday. Had hoped to have a home birth but as contractions didn't really progress naturally I was induced on Sunday night. Lewisham staff were excellent, particularly the midwives who helped with the actual labour (I was in the delivery room for 24 hours and managed to get through 3 shift changes!)

Anyway life is all a bit of a blur at the moment and I'm still hiding out at home getting used to it all but once things are more settled, Beatrice and I look forward to joining you all for picnics and summer fun

xx

oops, I'm sorry, I neglected to post about today's meet-up on here - but good to see you in the park anyway, daisyj! (and everyone else, too, of course!)

More of the same planned for next week, in case I forget - picnic in Greenwich Park, grass in front of cafe by King William Gate, the entrance nearest Greenwich centre. From around 12ish on - if you get there first, bag some shade! Those going to aquanatal at the Arches first may get there sooner, but waddling pace has definitely slowed in the heat... Bring a rug and food (cafe does have small range of sandwiches, bigger range of cakes, coffees and ice creams).

For those who think 12 is a bit early, I think there have been a few ppl left till at least 4pm on at least 3 of the past 4 Tuesdays, so worth calling/checking if you can't join us till later.

Welcome to LeviJess and Flump, and anyone else I've missed. elk4baby, sorry you're having a tough time, hope it gets better soon.

Arg, just checked this after a very busy week. I can't do today, but would love to do Thursday if you're free? x

Hi all

Welcome LeviJess and Flump (you live just down the road from me).

Anyone fancy lunch on Tuesday at the Railway in Blackheath?

xx

Hi there. I found this page whilst searching for antenatal yoga classes in Blackheath (any recommendations by the way?) and thought I'd see if you'd let me join you? I live just by Manor House Gardens in Hither Green and am 16 weeks pregnant, due at the very beginning of December. I've signed up for the NCT classes but they seem a very long time away so am happy to make some other bump friends in the area before then!

Hi,

Haven't been on for a few days... having a bad weeks with my LO .

Welcome to all the new bumps and babies! Hope to meet some of you soon.

The weather has been really nice lately and from the looks of it Greenwich park is very popular for picnics. I've even seen someone having a BBQ there today - is that even allowed?! Anyway, if a picnic is too much work (though if we pop by one of the cafes on the way we can easily get some sandwiches and bits), how about a stroll through during the day? Walking should be good for both bumps and bubbas . Let me know if any of you would like to join me and Anton for a walk or a picnic one of these days .

Hi Ladies,
I've just joined mumsnet and have found this post a day late! I've been living in Brockley since October - just before I gave birth - but DP's work has taken me away a lot, so it's kind of like I've just moved in. I have an 8 month old son, which might be a little older than some of yours but I'm looking for some other mums to hang out with!
So Hello to everyone, and I hope to meet you soon...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAISY!!!!!

What a lovely picnic in the park this afternoon! Nice to see mums, babes and bumps - thanks to bump for getting us all organised. Look forward to more of the same next week. Shame you couldn't make it Rie1 as I wanted a cuddle with newborn Elena!

Haven't been on for an age. Loving all the good birth stories as am getting so much closer. Only four weeks until maternity leave and I am so excited. Will be able to join you all in the park providing we get some good weather. Till then enjoy and hope all is going well with bumps and babies.

hmmmf! I really should check this thread more often! Missed out on a meet at Cutty Sark tavern and I only live a few minutes walk away!
I have baby massage at the mo on a Tues, so can't make that, but will keep my eye out for the next one.

Powdoc Really should join the salsa class, but not sure about commiting to six weeks. Let me know if it starts again pls, and I will come and try it out.

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this thread and to pregnancy.

1st baby due end of September 09 and would like to get in contact with other mums due around this time and living in Blackheath area.

I think it would be good to meet other ladies that want to sponsor the likes of Boulangerie Jade and Costa come October.

xxx

It's looking a bit grey out, not sure if it'll decide to rain this afternoon. Is anyone still coming to the pub today?

Hello all

I can't make the pub after all this afternoon - Naima had her jabs yesterday and seems to be suffering from the after-effects. She's got a bit of a temperature and wouldn't stop screaming when we popped out earlier so I think we need to have a bit of a quiet afternoon, for my sanity if not hers!

Looking forward to seeing you all soon though and meeting the latest arrivals!

xx

Hi all. As someone's mentioned (but on the previous page so I can't see who!) there'll be another post-aqua lunch on Tuesday of next week, bumps and babies welcome.

Plan is to meet at the Greenwich corner of the park at around noon, though aqua bumps will probably arrive earlier (northwest corner for geographically-minded ppl, top left if you look at the A-Z, and bottom right if you're standing in the park looking up the hill towards the Observatory and the heath! ). There's a small cafe by the herb garden, we plan to meet in a shady spot on the grass somewhere in front of there if it's good weather and retreat inside if it's peeing it down to rethink.

If it's fine, we're planning a picnic so bring your own food/drink and something to sit on. If it's horrible, we'll just have to find somewhere that's big enough and serves more than brie and camembert baguettes...

I have emailed most of you (everyone whose addresses I have), at last count that was 20+ women(!!!!) but I know there are a few whose details I don't have. If the venue changes due to rain, I will send a group text to anyone whose number I have who hasn't yet arrived, but if I don't have your details, you'll have to contact us to find out where we've moved to. I'm not too keen on posting my email address and phone number on the internet - if you want to be on the list/have the contact details of others please get in touch with me either directly or through someone else on here. I can't make today's lunch, but I know a few of you going have got both my phone number and email address - please feel free to pass it on to anyone who wants it (as long as they have either a bump or a baby ).

After the farcical non-lunch in Greenwich a while back at which three of us completely missed each other despite wandering around the right cafe at the right time, I'm not taking any chances with contact details and meet-ups!

Have a great lunch today, hope the weather stays fine.

Hello all,
Can't make meet up today which is a shame. I'll try and come along to something soon.
Big congrats to all new mums, and glad that all seems so positive. Honestly, I found the pushing part of labour quite enjoyable in a weird sort of way, (although I got a bit knackered after 2 hours!).
powdoc Maia is at best ambivalent about her pram. Also I hate running! So I could be up for the baby salsa, as I am deeply unfit since pregnancy (and need to burn off all the cake I am eating).

No, confusingly that is the Gipsy Moth.

The Cutty Sark is further down into East Greenwich. Their website has a map here.

I'd like to join you at the pub tomorrow.. err... what's 'Cutty Sark pub'? Is that the one right at the Cutty Sark Gardens, next to the Starbucks and the Green Baby shop (across from M&S)?

I'm loving all these positive birth stories, keep 'em coming!

Rie1, it sounds like you are a natural Mum already and I'm really looking forward to meeting Elena on Tuesday. Sure there will be soooo many nice things to do over the summer with all the bumps and babes that you will barely notice Jonathan isn't around.

Tupperwife, I can't believe how much tupperbaby has grown! But then I am also shocked that it was way back in February that he was born. Hasn't the time flown by!

Great to meet more bumps after aquanatal yesterday and see a few familiar faces. Have a good week everyone! x

Hi Everyone
Now I have a baby and not a bump Im looking forward to meeting you all for a picnic on Tuesday. It'll be my first outing on my own as Jonathan will be going back to work on Monday so may need you all for moral support when I attempt to breast feed in the big wide world.
Elena had a speedy arrival on the 6th June. I ended up having her at QEH as there were no midwives to come out and check on me when waters broke. We popped in to the hopsital with intentions of coming straight home and filling the birth pool but ran out of time to leave the hospital as she was born so quickly. No time for pain relief but I had a good experience and the pain was no where near as bad as I had imagined it'd be. As a punishment for such an easy pregnancy and labour, it took three hours to deliver the placenta and the stitches part wasnt great but I'd do it again without any drugs.
Having great fun getting to know her now, its so weird to think that two weeks ago I hadn't met her but already it feels like Ive always known her. Im really enjoying it!
Feb80, how are you?
x

Hello all - sorry I missed you today and last thursday. Hope all well, exciting to hear more and more bumps are turning into bubbas!

If anyone is around on Thursday afternoon, some of us will be hanging out at Cutty Sark pub in Greenwich from 3pm if the weather is fine. Hope to see some of you there!

xx

Realised I already know a few of you from NCT and Antenatal swim.... Those usernames are a real disguise!

Hiya,

I am new to Mumsnet and am due 11th August. I am interested in meeting other Mum's to be and other new Mum's.

Wondered, if I could join in the chat and any meet ups you may have.

Also, Congrats to all Mums on their new arrivals!

And I meant to say, Snapple-yes yes yes come along to one of the next meet ups, or classes, if you get the chance. Would be great to meet a newbie, being due in August I was always the last in the line, although I'm scarily moving up the list! xx

Hello hello!

Yes I'm back...and feeling pretty huge now! Thanks to hooking up with Bump at our NCT class, and after we realised that we'd spoken on here months ago, I'm back in the swing of things with the meet ups.

Feb80, I'll be at the Arches for aquanatal tomorrow, so will be great to catch up with again-it's been ages, although I have kept an eye on your growing bump on Facebook, you're looking fab I must say.

Big congrats to all the recent babies...awwwww! Well done Help, loving the name too-and I'll take heed of your story and keep repeating to myself..."it doesn't have to be that bad, it doesn't have to be that bad..."

Ok, enough waffling, and I'll see a fair few of you tomorrow at Aquanatal and later to stuff our faces silly with cake!

Hi guys,

I have been talking to a few people who have been looking for an exercise class that they could do with their baby and wouldn't rely on the baby lying quietly in the pram (like the pilates, etc, do). I thought I would let everyone know that I have been in contact with Urska, who runs the baby salsa classes in Blackheath (website here).

You do the class with the baby in a sling, which I am hoping means that, provided DD does not need feeding or changing, I stand a chance of making it through a full class without missing anything.

The classes are £48 for six weeks and one class is transferable (i.e. if you are away for a week or whatever, you can defer that session to a later date, so you don't need an unbroken run of six free weeks). Alternatively, you could pay £10 per session.

I have a bit of an ulterior motive here, as the classes aren't running at the moment due to low numbers (presumably the credit crunch strikes again), but as soon as there are five confirmed people they will be and I want to try and shift some of that baby weight. You can email Urska through the website if you're interested.

Hi everyone, feb80 mentioned this thread.

Can I join in.

I am due the end of Oct 09, my first, so am at the half way point (although I keep getting told my bump looks like it is at least 6 month along). Is anyone else due around then?

I live in Greenwich and would like to hook up with some local mums and mums to be.

Feb80 - there's a pay and display car park just across the road and down a bit from the Maritime museum which I think is ok price-wise if you're not parking for too long. I'll try and check it out if I'm passing over the weekend.

The labour was fine. Bit of a nightmare at the time, but I can honestly say that, even if I knew that the labour would be exactly the same again, I would still do it all again tomorrow. Well, actually maybe not tomorrow, but only because I couldn't cope with the two babies. Have such new respect for mums of twins!

daisyj - I've been called worse than a stripey blamanche... Maya's face was so funny, she couldn't quite work out the big pink blob in front of her! Thank you ellie732 for the plastic sheets (hubby pleased carpets won't be ruined by homebirth) and thanks becko for the book which is a good read so far.

bump - I'm keen for aquanatal and lunch on Tuesday. My only dilemma is parking. It's 2 hrs max on Maze Hill which doesn't leave enough time to do the class and go on for any decent amount of time afterwards. Does anyone know what the maximum stay is at the car park over the road from the Arches? cazinski - will you be coming too... long time no see!

powdoc - 50+ hours? Eeek!

hey all, wow, what a lot of things have happened recently! Congratulations to help and rie, and anyone else I've missed.

Good to see various babies on Tuesday - there are plans afoot for a repeat performance next week, similar time, if anyone's interested. I think there may be a few more people though, so the tentative plan is Paul's patisserie, mezzanine, Greenwich maritime museum, at noon (to give those of us still diligently attending aquanatal a good amount of time to get our shoes and socks back on...). Chances are we'll be there from around 11.45ish. Again if you have my mobile it would be great if you could let me know if you want to come, any changes to the plan will then be notified!

Hope to make it on a Thursday at some point too but for the moment I'm still persevering with the yoga classes. Getting less and less out of them, however...

feb80 - no, I'm afraid you're definitely before me and I have no intention of queue-jumping!

help - your post made me . I actually enjoyed most of my labour too. I wouldn't say it was painless, but it was pretty amazing, and reading your post made me feel quite nostalgic. Powdoc - am with you on doing it all again.

feb80 - you looked fab today. I realised that my joke about a stripey blancmange may not have been appreciated, so I just wanted to say you looked great!

Feb80 - and even if it's a bit of a nightmare, you'll still probably turn round a week later and say you would do it all again. My labour was 50+ hours and lots of interventions, and I did!

congratulations help!!! thats such a lovely name, and so pleased to hear of your amazing birth experience!

was great to see all today at the railway, would love to meet up again soon.

also really enjoyed lunch on tues thank you bump!!

very excited for the remaining bumps with just weeks to go!!

rosa xx

help, I love you.

FEB80 - i just want to let you know - it really wasn't that bad!

I remember lucidly thinking through a contraction towards the end "shouldn't the pain be making scream by now?" and frankly it was really manageable. I only used paracetomol for most of the early stuff and then g&a when i was about 8 cm gone till the actual birth.

your body does amazing things when it needs to!

And when the baby pops out... well, it's just incredible.

I am sorry i'm gushing a bit, but on such a high (and only 7 hours sleep spread over 3 days...)

xx

helpivegottogivebirth Congrantulations on baby Polly...I nearly chose that name too!

Sorry I have read this so late as I would have loved to come to Railway...next time (again!)

As there have been so many new arrivals recently I thought it would be time for an updated new list of who's left cooking. And then I totally freaked myself out by seeing that I'm at the top. Please add names if I've missed anyone off (preferably above me!!)

feb80/june 30/home (or Lewisham)
amytotty/july 8/QEH
BumpMakesTwoAndABit/July 13/home (or QEH)
jas28/july 17/Lewisham
cazinski/august 13/QEH
powpow/september 24/???

Hi all. I'm looking for a gardener and thought that you local people might be able to help. It's not for anything very creative, just someone to do a couple of days for us clearing the garden and hacking down the lawn, etc., so we can actually use it. We just don't seem to have the time, and keep starting the same bit over again and never getting any further...

Ellora - I think Becko thought you might know someone...

Feb80 - just texted you. There are mysterious things in the home birth pack. It took me two weeks before I looked, and then I was none the wiser.

Oops, messages crossed in the post. 1pm is better for me, not even properly out of bed yet haha. Glad you can make it too daisyj, be good to catch up.

Midwife has just been round to deliver home birth pack. Eeek! I'm not looking...

Good plan, let's say The Railway from 12.30pm then to save wet grassy bottoms. See you there.

helpivegottoggivebirth, congratulations! Sounds like you had a great experience. You'll have to change your nickname now, how about hurrahigavebirthanditwasokay?!

OK I think that general concensus is that a pub lunch at the railway, usual time of 1pm is best as its a bit gloomy. Please text anyone you know was up for today so we don't have any chilly people languishing in the park feeding the ducks on their own. We'll have to wait for the sunny weather to reappear before we have a picnic! See you all later.

helpivegottogivebirth - was just wondering yesterday how you were, and thinking you must be due. Congratulations on a lovely birth - sounds like you enjoyed it - that's wonderful. I guess that's helpivegivenbirth now.

Congrate to Rie too

We're up for the Railway, so hopefully see some of you later.

x

Helpivegottogivebirth - brilliant news - another Barkantine baby! Its brilliant isn't it! Look forwards to meeting you and Polly soon - fab name.

So picnic - looks a bit cold a damp outside. Should we revert to the Railway pub as usual?

Just checking in to tell you that my baby arrived on 8th June, 8.50 pm at the Barkantine Birthing Centre in Tower Hamlets.

A fantastic experience, floating around in the pool with a supportive midwife and my husband on water/food/gas/sick bowl duty.

We've named her Polly Diana and she is fab.

x

Hi,
I don´t know where Manor Park is and the weather is horrible, any other possible suggestions, a cafe perhaps?

Not sure we'll make tomorrow, Manor Park is a fair trek from here and I'm pretty stiff after running mummies yesterday.

A date for your diaries; HP6 at the picturehouse on 15th July. I'm unreasonably excited already. Can I dress Tupperbaby up as Dobby?

v quick message as i have a crying baby in my lap.... tomorrow, shall we say 12.30 in the park. plan B can be round at my house as I am close by. maybe a squash but sure we can manage. must go! xxxx

I'm interested in starting swimming too.
I just had a quick look and found Tots Water World on a Monday 9:30 at the Arches which is not lessons but I think I may give it a go first to see how Jasmine takes to the water.
Other than that, I emailed Aquababies who are thinking of starting a class in south London which I am now on the waiting list for (Sally at info@aquababies-uk.com if you want to go on it too).

Morning all, you'll be splashing away at aquanatal as I write this but I am too knackered to come out and play today so having a duvet day. Will probably miss lunch as well. Plan to be there next week though!

Was lovely to see the yummy mummies at The Railway last week and I look forward to catching up again on Thursday at the picnic in Manor Park. Any more bumps coming along? Hope the weather is going to be okay... err... what's Plan B?

Congratulations Rie1, great news. xx

Hi guys,

I'll be seeing some of you later at Alacosta/La Salumeria, but I thought I'd ask the wider group a quick question too. Does anyone know of any baby swimming classes within easy reach of Greenwich? I have a car, so doesn't need to be mega close-by, but obviously the easier the better. Someone mentioned that there was a class at Exel, but I can't seem to find details?

Thanks all.

Hi all,

I've not been on recently - got overtaken by work and plumbing problems (literally, not as a euphemism!).

Anyway, I'm still going to aquanatal classes, and there are a few of us planning to meet up for lunch tomorrow, both bumps and babies. I texted those of you whose numbers I had earlier this evening, got replies already from 3 of you, plus Cazinski whom I spoke to at NCT.

If anyone else wants to join us, or didn't get my text, we'll be meeting either in Alacosta or in the cafe at the back of La Salumeria deli (both on Trafalgar Rd nr Maze Hill, Alacosta almost opp Arches, La Salumeria further east near Co-Op). Venue tbc in morning, dependent on number of ppl, number of buggies and weather. Time around 12ish (give us preggers ppl time to get through the showers and get the clothes and shoes back on). If you have my number, call/text from 11, if you can't get hold of me, try both cafes, we'll be in one of them!

If it's sunny, Alacosta has a courtyard at the back, so do check outside as well...

Hope everyone's well, I'm shattered, will have to catch up on weeks of posts tomorrow.

Hi everyone, hope you're all well.

Rie1 had a little girl on Saturday, Elena Erin - she had a fantastic birth by the sound of it too ))

After suggesting the picnic in the park I now can't make it on 11th as have a friend coming from USA who I don't see very often, have fun though and I look forward to the next outing.

X

Hi
Sorry I didn't make it to the Railway, hope you all had a good time. Im due next Tuesday but if Ive still got a bump will come for the picnic on the 11th.
x

Feb80 - think you didn't get much done today...? Just wait till bump becomes bubba, then you'll look back on these days and think of yourself as a dynamo of achievement

11th is good for me. I've put it in the diary.

Rosa - 7-8 weeks is a real landmark, isn't it? I found the same thing as you with the smiles and cries... and I know I'll jinx this if I say it, but she has been sleeping amazingly at night for the past week, too. Long may it continue...

xx

Yeah! 11th is good for me too. Fingers crossed for sunny weather and if not I live 50 yards away so you can all decamp to mine!

See you all aat the Railway tomorrow.

xx

P.S. Am also definitely up for a picnic in Manor Park on Thursday 11th

First day of maternity leave has been great though I didn't get half as much done as planned!

See the yummy mummies and Rie1 bump at 1pm tomorrow for lunch in The Railway...

Are there any other bumps who will be going to Arches aquanatal tomorrow at 10am? (Probably not - I think most bumps have graduated to bubbas by now).

Had all hopes of joining you at Railway, but just realised Jasmine and I start baby massage classes every tues tomo...so can the next meet be another day but tues?

Enjoy! xx

Oh I know miss daisy I am missing you and maya!!

we are going great, turned a bit of a corner around 7 weeks where i started gettting smiles daily and understanding different cries a wee bit more - also she is now happy in the pram (not demanding sling anymore) which makes getting out and about more relaxing.

i tried out running mummies last week with clarerose, becko, ellora et al, it was good fun! i'm not much of a runner but any exercise where em can come too is much better for the moment, and its good to be in the fresh air too - so i've invested in the most hardcore sports bra money can buy and off i go! :-)

thinking em needs some music in her life and am pondering over which to go to of rhyme time at blackheath library, boppin bunnies in greenwich and baby music at quaggy.

look forward to seeing you and maya really soon!!!

rosa xx

p.s - see everyone else at railway tmw!!

Morning Everyone
Yes I'll be there at Railway tomorrow, it'll be my first Mumsnet outing! You'll recognise me from the huge bump and waddle!
Feb80, hope you're enjoying your first day of freedom. I've really got in to the swing of it now - why did we ever go to work??
See you at 1.
x

hi peeps, would love to join in Manor Pk Gdns picnic, can I put in a plea for thursday 11th?

Hoping to be at railway tmorrow too

xx (bfeeding, one handed typing still not up to par!)

That's a lovely idea. I'm busy all this coming week, but the week after would be great, any day except Monday.

xx

Daisyj - I only found manor Park Gardens last week, it's only 5/10 min walk from me and is lovely..! I went to the new library too.. I might try out the baby bounce one morning.

Perhaps we should arrange a wee picnic in the gardens for the next couple of weeks as the weather is so lovely!

x

feb80 lol at painless childbirth! So sorry to miss your first mat leave outing - I'm meeting a friend in town, so won't be able to make it. I'm going to Leeds for a couple of days after that, but definitely up for a cuppa and visit to the park the week after.

I'm not having a very good hit rate on lunches at the Railway at the moment - Maya and I seem to be so busy - I hate to miss out on seeing everyone and the bubbas, though, so I'm going to make sure we don't have too many things arranged for the next few weeks, so I can join in a bit more.

rosa - how are you, hon? It's been ages...

And welcome to Fliss - those of us near Manor Park are currently enjoying beautiful days in Manor House Gardens and the delights of the new library, and looking forward to more people joining us .

xx to all.

Can't wait to be on maternity leave. Have just had a lovely week off and then only 7 weeks to go which is 35 days or in minutes its... (pregnancy brain doesn't allow me to do the maths).

Well done the rest of you who have made it to maternity leave can't wait to join you.

Well done feb80andthebump. Good news you local. Enjoy!

Yes! Yes! Yes! Count me in for lunch at The Railway on Tuesday. Oh I have been waiting a LONG time for this.... last day at work today, whoop whoop . See you all and the beautiful babies then. You can tell me how easy and painless childbirth is.

Rie1, you coming too?

Fliss01, welcome. I live near Manor Park so I'm sure I'll be seeing you at some point soon.

Daisyj hope you're well and I look forward to a cuppa over the next few weeks perhaps before I pop!

x

Hi everyone

I will try and be at the Station on Tuesday for lunch.

Sorry to read about the colicky babies, I went through a similar stage with Layla and used Infacol a few times which really helped.. I must say though that by 5/6 weeks things improved and I could then read what her cries were for.. she mainly has 3 types of cry.. over-tired, hungry or nappy!

SE8mum - I got the Medela breast pump and didn't get on with it very well although others in my NCT class have been fine with it, so I think it comes down to the individual. I have done a lot of expressing as Layla was a very sleepy feeder on the breast so I feed her expressed milk (and am now doing 1/2 and 1/2 with formula). I went through a few pumps and found the Avent handheld was the best in the end as it is quicker and more gentle. Hope this helps.

Hopefully see some of you on Tuesday. Feb80 and Rie1 - can you come now you're on maternity leave!?

XX

Sadly Tupperbaby has his 16 week jabs on Tuesday so we won't be able to come. And I'm far to lazy to go to running mummies.

The old wives tales say they cry less after around 3 months, and it's definately true for us. And he didn't even have colic [sympathy for mums of colicky babies emoticon]. Massage is great for that 'what on earth can we do for the next half hour?' moment; he even holds his legs out for me! He's also now showing liking for things, like that weird cat mask on the kitchen wall. Last night we discovered the wonders of teething gel which is truly magical stuff and made my fingertips numb.

Hi all,

Anyone up for another Station lunch (1pm) on Tuesday? Saw a few girls at Running Mummies today and Tuesday sounded good....

Its been good to read the posts about crying babies... Rowan has had me wondering what to do with her but I reckon she just gets freaked out by the big bad world sometimes and crying is her only way to deal with it. Sounds like I am not alone...

Hi all,
And hi to cateve79 in exactly same position as you. I am 27 weeks and looking to meet mums/ mums to be in local area.

Its great reading your posts and seeing everyone has had safe births and healthy babies- great comfort to a terrified first timer like me.

I will be on maternity leave from Mid July cateve79 so maybe we could meet up then and compare bumps or swollen ankles! Or even before if you not too tired after work.

Am based near Manor Park. Sorry to gatecrash,
Fliss 01

oops! meant tupp not tuup!!

hi tuuperwife
yep i'll be there tmw, its only our 2nd big scream so we are still novices!!
rosa x

Hope everyone enjoyed the Bank Holiday and were thoroughly clucked over by adoring family/ friends/ random strangers in the street .

Anyone going to see Star Trek tomorrow? I hope I haven't left it too late to introduce Tupperbaby to sci fi...

I have the Ameda Lactaline - pretty much the same price as the Medela Swing, but for a double. It's working very well and has really helped me to adjust my milk supply.
In the mornings, I was producing more than my little boy needed, but then in the evenings when he was hungrier the supply was shy, so it was difficult to settle him to sleep. Pumping at the end of the evening feeds has helped correct this problem.

Hello,
I am thinking of buying the Medela breast pump, anyone else using it? How do you find it?

Oh, and if you don't have a sling yet and thinking of getting one, try a wrap style one. These seems to work a lot better for tiny babies than the ones you put over one shoulder. My little boy was way too small for the one-shoulder sling I had. I ended up getting the Tinoskis from NCT shop on a friend's advice and am really happy with it. Once you get the hang of how to wrap and tie it, it's really simple to use.

Hi everyone,

Really sorry to hear you're having the same problems with gassy/colicky babies.
There are a number of things you can do about gas (might actually help with colic as well). It's an old remedy that your grandmothers might remember - 'dill water'. It's simple to prepare - simply pour boiling water over some dill in a cup, cover and let it steep like tea. Drink this slightly green water (no taste to it really) throughout the day. It will reduce gas in you as well as the baby (granted, of course, that you're breastfeeding).
In really desperate cases you can even give this water to the baby - just one or two teaspoons. We had to do this the first week, as my little boy was extremely gassy and sreaming in pain for hours on end.

Also, what I found helpful for gas and reflux (again might even help with colic) is a baby hammock. We have the Amby Nature's Nest, though I think there are a number of different ones out there. The Amby is quiet expensive, but we got ours on EBay very reasonably; there's always a few listed.

Another silly thing that helps to calm a crying baby - gym ball. Bouncing on it with baby in your arms (upright) seems to calm or at least entertain babies. This was suggested by a friend of ours and seems to realy help Anton as well. Just make sure the ball is not over-inflated, so you're stable.

Oh, and use the search feature on here to read back through some historic threads. Putting in key words like 'colic', 'sling', 'newborn' etc gets you some cracking stuff. Made me feel LOADS better to realise that probably the majoirity of mums feel the same way and have the same problems.

Of course she doesn't hate you Tara. You are her mummy and she loves you.

When I've been having moments like this I find it helps to concentrate on the fact that crying is the ONLY form of communication DD has right now. Sometimes that cry means something (feed me, wind me) and I can respond. Sometimes it seems to just mean 'Argh, this big bad world is all too much, put me back inside.' If that's the cry, then nothing I do is going to stop it. I am also trying to spend a few days taking a deep breath and trying to learn to differentiate between the cries and not assume that every one is for food. That way, when there's one you can't fix, it's a bit less heartbreaking - plus I don't end up feeding her every 20 minutes. Not that I find it that easy to follow my own advice when DD is screaming!

The other thing we have been focusing on is the possibility of wind. DD does arch her back a lot, as if she has trapped wind (and seems to be in a lot of pain at these times), and does some fabulous burps and farts. I have been trying to really focus on getting a good latch on the breast (obviously not applicable if you are using formula) as I read a really interesting article that a lot of misdiagnosed colic might actually be related to feeding www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2005/mar/30/familyandrelationships.healthandwellbeing.It hasn't been the miracle cure that the article suggests, but it has helped and, more importantly, it makes me feel like I am doing something.

Same goes for the cranial osteopathy, and will keep you posted on how it goes. Am determined not to tell the practioner about DD's birth (long, forceps) and see whether he can genuinely tell.

Sorry to hear about other cranky babies, but this has really lifted me as I had another stint of tears from 4am-8am last night and beginning to wonder if my baby hates me.
Baby tummy massage seems to be working quite well in the day, but nothing pacifies her at night except closeness and being upright (as Powdoc says).
Staying with family tonight, which I can't see being much fun!

We're going with a combination of sling (she seems to like being upright and close to us), Infacol, lots of winding after feeding and hoping that the cranial osteopathy might help!

Elk and Powdoc I know how you feel, Baby has colic and cries non-stop in the evenings...any good tips for colic? have tried almost everything...

My daughter seems to have the same issue Elk4baby. She doesn't always wake up crying, but often seems quite cranky and upset, even when she's just fed and had her nappy changed. I don't know if it's just adjusting to being out in the world or something more. We've got a session booked at the Sunflower Centre next week, so I'll try to come back with an update on how it goes.

Have a trial pack of cloth nappies, but not yet got up the energy to try them. Really should do...

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the osteopath recommendation! I was looking to book an appointment. My little boy seems to always be very cranky and generally unhappy when waking up, regardless of how long he's slept for or where and even when he's definitely not hungry or wet. Anyone else found this? Does your little one always wake up crying?

And a couple of things to share: we're using cloth nappies almost exclusively (even when out and about), unless I forget to do a wash and we run out (we don't have a full supply yet). It's been working really well , even with miconium early on. No leaks, though my boy is a really heavy wetter sometimes and does number 2 up to 10 times a day . A lot better than the disposables we'd used - he got nappy rash and I really hated the smell of them (they smell like some kind of industrial glue or something). They were not any weird kind or anything - Pampers Sensitive.
So far we've had very good experience with Flexitots by TotsBots with their own wraps or ImseVimse ones, if anyone would like to try cloth... They do come in complete trial packs and are regularly listed on eBay - new and used, whatever your preference.

Also, we've gone through abit of a rough growth spurt around 2.5-3 weeks (apparently this is normal). What seemed to really help increase my milk supply were walnuts (on mums's advice) and drinking a lot of water/tea. So if you're having supply issues, getting some walnuts into your diet might be helpful.

Hi Girls,
Can't make today as Jasmine is poorly. Signs of teething but can't possibly be at 8 wks ?!?! Am hoping she isn't coming down with anyting else though as immunisations are tomorrow.

Thanks for the news about cranial osteopathy, am definitely booking Jas in when I get the car back.

I will get to meet you one day, have a nice lunch.

Hi

Sorry I cannot make today just woken up with cold and sore throat, "That what happens when you go to sleep with wet hair" as my mother would say. Have not used a hairdryer in months as too worried the noise will wake DD.

Am pretty sure it's not Swinflu though that the primary school has reported a case in Blackheath!

Hope everyone enjoys todday.

ELlora

Hi all, congratulations to all the new arrivals! Can't wait to meet the new babies.

I'll be at the Railway tomorrow and happy to tell people more about the Cranial Osteopathy - Aidan at the Sunflower Centre was excellent and Naima has been noticeably calmer and less fretful since the session.

Hi

Shall be coming on Thursday now as friend pulled out of visit so looking forward to seeing everyone.

Beano7 - am a hayfever sufferer too and went to GP before giving birth to prep all the medication I could use once baby born. Been okay till last two days and GP said I could use everything Piriton, Beconase nose spray, Clarytin and resorted to the nose spray (Rhinospray something) in the end and seems to be working today.

Only thing you cannot take is Telfast while breastfeeding but everything else she said was fine as the dose is actually very small for hayfever tablets.

Really hope it gets better

Hayfever info from NHS choices [nerd emoticon] There's probably nothing specifically recommended for preggers hayfever sufferers; it would be unethical deliberately to test whether or not they hurt you or the baby. As with everything else, old drugs or topical stuff (sprays are good, tablets not) are the ways to go. Check out this drug formulary if you want info on your usual favourite remedy. [double nerd] And yes, I do work in drug testing...

Definately coming on Thursday and bringing another Blackheath mum with us. Tupperbaby is now 95th centile for height so will need a big seat to sit on!

P.S, do any of you know of any rememdies for hayfever that I can take while breatfeeding? Am really suffering at the moment, sniff sniff!

x

Hello, Tara373, you can get the 386 bus from Greenwich to Blackheath.

I will be coming along on Thursday, looking forward to seeing you all.

xx

Hi all
I am new to this board but heverhoney found me lurking on the pregnancy pages looking for other local mums-to-be and suggested I look here - so hoping I can join in!! I'm 27 weeks pregnant with my first baby (due 5 Aug) and will be taking a year maternity leave starting beginning of july. Would love to meet other mums/mums-to-be in the area. Seems like everyone on here's given birth already so I'm a late-comer! Look forward to getting to know you all
Cat xxx

Hello - I'd love to make Thursday but may have to go away for a few days, so will have to see if I am around.
Having not made it to the Railway yet, does anyone go from Greenwich and know if the bus goes there (not that I can get my pram on the bus, last time I tried I got stuck between the seats)!
Hope to see you then anyway.
Tara

heverhoney congratulations to you too - I must have missed your post!

helpivegottogivebirth - I meant to say, I have a wonderful acupuncturist at the Blackheath Complementary Health Centre in Blackheath Standard. She is really experienced in treating for fertility and in pregnancy, and I can't recommend her highly enough. Her name is Sarah Pritchard and the number is 020 8293 5380.

Big congrats heverhoney1 and exact same weight as my little one, good weight to kick everything off if I may say so!

Powdoc Toastnhoney said she thought the cranial osteopathy was really good am going to book it in too for DD as really interested. Also asked the wonderful (sarcasm) Dr Wiggins at my GP practice what he though and he actually really rates it and think all babies should have consultation. This is coming from the most skeptical GP I know and Toastnhoney and probably se8mum can confirm that!

A few fitness classes too to share as a few have asked me:

yoga for mums and babies starting in Brockley and if interested in more info you can email rebeccarussell_turner@hotmail.com for more info, she will be teaching in Brockley soon and she's just accumulating interest but had one on one session and really liked it as was good workout and DD was so entertained!

Also www.fitnessformummies.co.uk is great workout for post mums and babies just sit there or prams on the side.

Cannot make Thursday either has got friend coming over now but hopefully see you all very soon!

Ellora x

ellie - congratulations and wow! on your home birth - and excellent choice of name, if I do say so .

ellora - thanks for the info on cranial osteopathy - we'll definitely be booking a session for Maya.

I've just realised I can't make next Thursday, as I have my first post-baby haircut and leg wax booked , but will definitely see everyone soon...

Oh, and welcome to Maria. I met your friend Helen at the Lee Health Centre the other day. I'd picked up one of her leaflets and she happened to be there too. Can't wait to sign up for her classes over the summer.

Hello all,

Another baby to add to the thread - they really are piling up now - Chloe was born on her due date at QE hospital. That was the only bit that did go to plan as she got a bit stuck. All is well now and I am finally out of hospital (for anyone going to QE I would just like to say the staff there are brilliant and to say I am thankful just doesn't quite cover it - both during birth and after!!).

Chloe weighed in at 8lb 15 and is a bundly of joy - I feel a very lucky mum!

Do you know what Toastnhoney thought of it Ellora? I'm considering it for DD.

Hi

A few mums were talking about cranial osteopathy as toastnhoney had a session and daisyj asked about it..

Here you go:
The guy is Aidan Spencer at www.thesunflowercentre.co.uk
"Cranial osteopathy can offer help with difficulties feeding or sleeping, infantile colic, glue ear, developmental delay, aches and pains.
We can also check newborns, using cranial osteopathy, for any retained stresses in their bodies; this we recommend for all newborns, however especially for those born by ventouse, forceps or caesarian, or any very prolonged or very quick deliveries."

Ellora

Big Congratulations to Ellie! Wow, that's amazingly quick . I'm glad hypnobirthing worked well for you. I found it very helpful as well, though my birth was not the ideal 'quick, intervention free' one I had hoped for.
People say the second time around it's quicker... you might not even get the time to call anyone .

Hi girls,

Ellie, congratulations on the birth of your little girl - we hope to see you both soon )

Lunch at the Railway next Thurs sounds great to me.. see you all there x

Ellie,

Congratulations on your new arrival, and your 'mad' home birth. Sounds like you went to the opposite end of the time spectrum to me (22 hours in the delivery room before DD arrived, plus 24 hours at home before that...). I am glad to hear that she's doing well.

When we're up to re-surfacing, it would be good to see you at one of the meet ups. We're just over two weeks down the line, so I'm hoping to get up and about properly soon.

Hi Rosa7, I just logged on to suggest the same! Great idea - definitely up for meeting next Thursday at The Railway.

Hope everyone is doing OK. Rowan was 6 weeks on Tuesday and I am rather glad to have made it this far.... 6 weeks since my last good night's sleep....where has the time gone?

See you all on Thursday xxx

Hello all,
Just wanted to let you know that we had our little girl at 2.45am on 27/4/2007. She was born at home - on our bed as we didn't get time to fill the birthing pool. It was a bit of a mad experience, as I wasn't really sure whether or not I was in established labour or not - called the midwives cos my waters broke at about 11pm, and by the time they arrived half an hour later I was 10cm dilated.
Unfortunately we then had to go to hospital for 2 days when little Maia Alice was 2 days old because she got quite bad jaundice, but she's home again now and seems really well.
I have to say that the midwives at the birth and all the postnatal support that we recieved has been brilliant. In particular there's some excellent breast feeding support at Lewisham post natal ward.
I have to say that I'd recommend the hypnobirthing course that I did as it really helped me to stay chilled out in labour.

hi all,
shall we meet up next week for lunch on thurs (14th) at railway? does it suit anyone?
xx

Hi Ladies

Just spotted this thread and thought 'ooh I live on Manor park! I'm a bit further down than line than you lot though. Hope you're all getting through the first couple of months ok. It does get better - I absolutely promise!!

Anyway, just noticed in Rosa7's post above that you're looking for a baby signing class. My friend Helen (another Hither Green Mum) runs sessions at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Handen Road. I took my DS and she really is remarkable (and you should see her rather wonderful signing two year old!!). Her contacts are chatter.fingers@yahoo.co.uk or 07834974901.

Also best place for music locally is Blackheath Conservatoire who run fantastic early years work (I work in music education and really rate them). I can't remember what the bottom age limit is but you should check it out.

Anyway, I'll float away into nothingness again. Good luck all of you and welcome to the wonderful world of Blackheath / Lewisham / Greenwich mums. I'll be fighting you for the swings at Manor House Gardens before you know it!

Hello Ladies,

I was not able to make to the Railway as had to attend a doctors appointment. So sad. I hope you all plan the next meeting soon as I would love to meet all of you. Let me know if anyone is going for any of the Mum and Baby things in Blackheath or Greenwich as I would love to join. Neriah has just started turning! Lots of fun!

See you all soon.

Aminta

Hi

Regarding acupuncture they have very good therapists in Brockley, SE4 at www.thesunflowercentre.co.uk for both mums and babies and reflexology.

Ellora x

hi hope all are well
can anyone recommend a good local acupuncturist in south east london?

here's the calendar once more now that we can start thinking about using it
does anyone know about baby signing classes?

Greenwich / Blackheath Calendar of Events for Mums & Bubs!

Monday

11.15am Mummy and baby yoga, Brandram Rd Community Centre

2.30pm Boppin bunnies musical group, St Mark's Community Centre, Greenwich South St

Tuesday

10.15 Running Mummies, Greenwich Park

10.30am Postnatal yoga for mums and bubs, Deptford Albany

2pm Baby rhyme time, Blackheath Library

Wednesday

11.30amThe Big Scream, Greenwich Picturehouse

1pm Baby Salsa, Mycenae House

Thursday

10.15 Running Mummies, Greenwich Park

11.15 Baby Bounce (singing/stories), Lewisham Library

2pm Baby rhyme time, Blackheath Library

Friday

9:30am Boppin bunnies musical group, St Mark's Community Centre, Greenwich South St

11.30am The Big Scream, Greenwich Picturehouse

1.50pm Boppin bunnies musical group, St Mark's Community Centre, Greenwich South St

Saturday

Sunday

Hi all,

Yes, lovely to see everyone and their bundles yesterday. We have some lovely babies! Enjoy the sunny bank holiday. I have just ordered some patio furniture which means it will rain for the rest of the summer!

See you all soon.
xxxxx

I'm amazed by how broody lill newborns make me already...

Tuppergrandpa managed to do 2 bottle feeds last night whilst babysitting for the first time. Now I just need to convince him that baby needs to sleep rather than play all night.

Lovely to see everybody, and we're definately planning to go to Star Trek next week. Didn't somebody mention the Gypsy Moth does decent food for afterwards?

Hi

Realy great to meeting everyone yesterday and such fun to see all the babies..

Am definately up for another meet and sorry dashed off suddenly realised hadn't paid for parking and poor Arlo was in a real strop and took me ages to calm him down poor love.
And lo and behold I did get parking ticket but so relieved they didn't tow the car away!

Off in morning to have his little belly button treated with the dry ice as still not fully healed so got to get him to stay completely still, god knows how that will work out!

Rosa7 and Daisyj was great to meet you and am quite keen on Star Trek at Picture House I think next Friday if anyone fancies it!

Ellora x

loved seeing everyone yesterday.

great to meet beano and ellora!!

what a lot of cute babies we have now eh?!!

lets do it again really soon, i thought the railway was a great venue as it was so quiet!!

Big congratulations to new mamas and babas. Can't believe how babied-up we are now

Maya and I will be at the Railway later - really looking forward to seeing everyone. Have to go to baby clinic first so may be a little late...

xx

Hi all (and hi to Aminta too)
Sorry been so long to be on here.
Arlo now in his 7th week and just had 6 week check and passed, however lesion behind his ear requires laser surgery on general anasthetic at Great Ormond street and done post 9 months old. However it is only a beauty issue and seems quite a lot of trouble for a little mark behind his ear that his hair would cover in future anyway! Tricky one but love my son and all his marks and at least have a few months to think it through and see if it fades a bit more.

Looking forward to finally meeting up tomorrow at 1:00 and saying hi to those I have not met yet and introducing Arlo to more baby friends!!

Big congrats to SE8mum and Powdoc and elk4baby, wonderful new arrivals by the sounds of it!

See you all tomorrow
Ellora &#9786;

Tupperbaby just had his jabs, is sleeping on my chest like a miniature drunk (snoring and talking to himself, no kebab yet) so assuming he doesn't wake every hour through the night like he did after the last set we'll be at the Railway tomorrow around 1pm.

Warning The old guy I arrive with is my Dad, not my husband , we're going to the Big Scream at Greenwich tomorrow morning.

Can't wait to see the lill newborns tomorrow!

Hi girls

Congratulations to elk4baby, se8mum and Powdoc, that's fantastic news! I bumped into Ellie732 at the weekend, she was waiting patiently for her little girl to enter the world.. not sure if she's made an appearence yet though!

Hopefully catch up with some of you at the Railway tomorrow. Tupperwife, are you still going? I know Ellora, Beano and Becko are so see you guys and hopefully some others with their new bubs there at 1pm

Cxx

Congratulations Powdoc, elk4baby and se8mum... and anyone I have missed out on congratulating before. The babies are coming thick and fast now!

se8mum, I was particularly pleased to read about your positive experience at Lewisham hospital, that's great to know.

Four and a half weeks left for me at work and then I will be able to join the daytime get togethers and meet the new additions, can't wait.

xx

Hello,

Baby Thomas came last Thursday and I must say staff at Lewisham hospital were great and made the whole long and daunting experience a bit more bearable. Midwives were very caring, as was the doctor and I felt well looked after, which surpised me!
Congratulations Elk and Powdoc and a speedy recovery.
I hope to see you all soon and meet the new and "old" babies and introduce Thomas to the group. Have fun at the Railway

Hi to those who know me.

Baby Powdoc made her entrance at 4am on Tuesday after a long and difficult labour in which I picked up just about every intervention under the sun. I am still processing what happened, but to cut a long story short, the latent phase was not so latent (crushing back pain with standing the only position that brought relief, so I went into the whole thing with only 3 hours sleep over two nights and feeling like I had run a marathon) and I then failed to progress. It ended up being a forceps delivery - although I have to say that the lovely doctor made that the least hideous aspect of the whole performance!

Have been trying to go for little walks, so might try to swing past one of your meet ups in the week. Famous last words...

Needless to say, we are madly in love with our new daughter, and she was worth every minute.

Congratulations Elk4baby! Sorry Anton decided to make an unconventional entrance, but glad everything worked out well in the end. Hope you're recovering well!

Powdoc's baby has arrived too, for the aquanatal ladies who were wondering! I'm sure she'll update in due course - but congratulations in the meantime!

Best wishes to ellie732 and SE8mum, and here's hoping that we WON'T be seeing you again on Tuesday! And good luck to HeverHoney too, for a week's time - oooooh, it's getting close

Hi to Aminta.

I'll be working next Wednesday so can't make the Blackheath lunch, but would still love to see anyone who happens to be available on Tuesday, from about 11.20ish in Alacosta (after the aquanatal class - I can't stay for long as I'm teaching in the afternoon, but def up for a coffee, there'll be a couple of aqua bumps but babies are welcome too); or Thursday for lunch if anyone's around? Yoga finishes at 1, so 1.30 onwards in Greenwich is good... We went to the Gipsy Moth last time, since Biscuit was so disappointing on the food front (one veggie option - Brie sandwich!!!). Other than funny looks from old blokes nursing pints as 5 very obviously pregnant women walked/waddled past, it was fine, lots of space and big tables. They do a £5 lunch special too.

Have a great marathon weekend everyone. Looks like the good weather should last till Sunday!

Hi everyone, it's been wonderful reading your lively thread. My name is Aminta and live in Blackheath and have baby daughter Neriah who is just 4 months old. I spent the first three months after baby's birth in the tropics so that we could escape the winter. Back home now and would love to meet other Mums in the area. Hope I would be able to join you all when you meet up next.

Elk - congratulations!!! That is fantastic news. V cool name. Looking forward to seeing you and Anton soon xxx

Hi all,

Apologies for the long pause...

I became a mum to a little boy, named Anton, on April 14th.

The short story: after 23 hours of completely intervention/drug free labour, it failed to progress. My little one was coming sideways and got stuck , plus after so many hours of intense contractions 2-3 minutes apart exhaustion kicked in to the point of my contractions coming to a halt, so I ended up having a ventouse delivery. All in all, I'm quite happy with how everything turned out and we're both doing well.
I found hypnobirthing extremely helpful and I don't think I would have been able to last that long without it. Also, having trained with Epi-No, my tears were extremely small for a ventouse. It was recommended to me by a friend of mine, who had a very good experience also. If you're interested: www.epi-no.co.uk

Hi Everyone

Congratulations to all the new Mums. Im hoping for a homebirth so good to hear that they seem to be going well.
Ive finally added myself to the list.

Expected
Elk4baby/april 11/Portland
ellie732/april 22/ Home (or Lewisham)
Se8mum/april 23/Lewisham
Heverhoney1/May 2nd/ QEH
paulawilkie/May 15/Lewisham
Helpivegottogivebirth/june 6th/QEH
Rie1 / June 9th / Home (or QEH)
feb80/june 30/Lewisham
amytotty/july 8/QEH
BumpMakesTwoAndABit/July 13/home (or QEH)
jas28/july 17/Lewisham
cazinski/august 13/QEH
powpow/september 24/???

Have a good week and enjoy the sunshine!

Marie x

Hello all - looking forward to seeing you for lunch next Weds, assuming all is well this end! Naima now feeding really well and had put 11oz on top of her birthweight when the midwife weighed her at 11 days yesterday. (OK, so I've got a little porker for a daughter - but pudgy babies are cute aren't they!?)

Bump - the home birth was fantastic, definitely the right choice for us. So lovely being in my own environment and all being able to pile into bed together an hour after she was born. The pool was invaluable too. I will tell you all about it when I next see you out for coffee somewhere!

We had an independent midwife, who was brilliant and made all the difference both during and afterwards - it was quite a long labour (though baby and I were both fine throughout - though I was pretty knackered by the end!), and we definitely wouldn't have been able to stay at home with NHS midwives. I agonised over whether to go with an independent midwife but having had this experience I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is considering it.

I'm embarrassingly excited about meeting for lunch next week and meeting all the new babes. I reckon about 1 in the Railway sounds like a good option; their toilets are clean for changing, they do ginger beer and there's bags of space for lots of chariots to be parked.

I might even bring my Dad (Tuppergrandpa?) with me since I'm taking him to the Big Scream that morning. Poor man, I don't think he realises what he's let himself in for . Sam's up for his 12 week jabs on Tuesday so it'll be good to get out of the house and share his grumpiness around a bit.

[returns to housework after 11 weeks of neglect] [dust bunny emoticon]

Hi girls!

Congratulations to both Rosa and Toast on the new arrivals, that's fantastic news!! Can't wait to meet all the new babies!

Hope you're all enjoying the lovely sunshine !

I was just wondering when the next meet up is and see that Tupperwife suggested next week in Blackheath for lunch on 29th. Is that still on? I went for lunch on Monday at the Princess of Wales and it's great if the weather's nice as you can sit in their beer garden, if the weather's not so good then The Railway is probably better. Who is planning on going? Last week I was late getting to Biscuit and missed you all , but I was with a couple of friends from NCT so it wasn't a problem .

Also, was in Cafe Rouge last week in Greenwich and there were loads of Mum's and babies in there so they are baby friendly too with changing facilities etc so could be another venue for future.

Good luck to Elk4baby, ellie732 and Se8mum who are all next on the list!!

Clare x

Woohoo, rosa - so good to hear all is well, and that you're enjoying your feeding and snoozing .

Big congrats to Toast, too - what a lovely name.

Can't wait to see all the new mummies and bubbas on the 29th.

xx

hi all,

finally found some time to get online! lovely to read all the messages from the past couple of weeks.

our beautiful Emma was born on sunday 29th march, she was 8 lbs 12 and we've been having a good time feeding and snoozing since. can't wait to meet up with you all. 29th sounds good.

congrats to daisyj and toastnhoney too - yayyyy!

xxx rosa

Hello ladies. Sorry long time no speak I am pushing time a bit trying to get my dissertation done before little un makes an appearence. Hopefully it wont be too long then I can meet you all for tea and cake!!

Congrats to all the lovely mummies on here xxxxxx

Hi girls, Layla and I will come and meet you for lunch/coffee tomorrow in Greenwich. See you there at 1.30pm.. hopefully Layla won't be too grumpy (like she's been today!!). x

Toast, congratulations! very exciting! and looking forward to seeing you and Naima...
I will be at Biscuit tomorrow and yoga if feeling energetic (doubt it)

Hi guys,

As promised in Alacosta, I have now registered for Mumsnet. V exciting. Not feeling particularly creative, I went with the nickname you suggested...

I will see you on Thursday, unless the baby finally decides to put in an appearance.

woohoo! Congratulations! How was the home birth [she asks with more than a hint of vested interest!]? Perfect timing for maximising paternity leave too - how considerate of her!

Good to see some of you at aquanatal/coffee today. We have a plan for Thursday, believe it or not...

Thursday, 1.30pm, Biscuit in Greenwich centre.

SE8mum, ellie732 and I are all intending to be there, and a couple of others have said they will come if they're still waiting for D-day. If it does turn out to be really busy, or they don't do food other than biscuits or cake, we'll move on and find somewhere else. To avoid a repetition of last week, if you're intending to come and you don't have the mobile number of one of us, feel free to message me and then we can let you know if there is a late change in plan. Hope to see some of you there, with or without buggies and babies

Hello all - just to let you know I had an Easter delivery - Naima Joy was born at home on Friday morning and she is absolutely gorgeous.

We're having a brilliant time getting to know each other and catching up on sleep - but looking forward to getting out and about and introducing you all to her soon!

Hello -
Elk and Bump - aargh - so sorry . meant to make it to lunch on thus, but my bizarre pregnancy restless leg thingy is kicking off in a big way and I got literally no sleep on Wed night.
Still up for coffee this Thus though!
I'm wondering if there's any news from toastnhoney as I know she's due around now...

elk4baby - where were you?! I was there too - from 12:25-12:45! Yes, I noticed the 3.5 couples with babies at the table in the window - I thought they might be some of the new arrivals on here (since the only ones I've actually met who've now had babies are Clare7Rose and Rosa) and totally embarrassed myself by sort of hanging around to see if they looked like they were expecting some bumps to arrive .

I wandered through the rooms trying to bump-spot (very difficult to do surreptitiously when people are sitting down...) and eventually parked myself on one of the high stools by the counter, hoping my bump would be obvious to anyone who hadn't met me. I guess we must have missed each other whilst I was checking out the back room or something.

Anyway, I can say that BdM is also rubbish for food. Unless you like cheese baguettes and are willing to eat brie, goat's cheese with rind, or stilton whilst pregnant. Oh, and they had some forlorn-looking pies. It used to be good before Greenwich Inc took over... like so many Greenwich eateries!

I'm up for tea/coffee next Thurs. Am happy to make it slightly later - say 2pm - and I'll grab some food from Alacosta after yoga before coming to join you for coffee and a pudding. Teaching has finished for the academic year (just exam marking next term), so I can rearrange my work a bit now.

The brownies at Biscuit are excellent, the only issue will be whether we can get a table during the school holidays! It looked pretty crowded just before 1pm. Worth a try though. Another place we could try is Costa Coffee in Waterstone's - they're buggy-friendly in there (I know it's first floor but there's a lift).

I'm looking forward to the warm weather and picnics in the park...

Thanks, daisyj! That's quite encouraging, as I'm a bit worried about how our little 'queen of the house' will react to the 'alien invasion' . She hid under the bed the whole time our friends were visiting with a 16month old. Hopefully, she'll find a newborn less frightening.

I was at the Bar du Musee, but no one was there . There was a gathering of new parents (judging by all the very-very small babies in their laps), but no bumps... I was there around 12:35-12:40.

Maybe we should try to arrange these meetings a bit more in advance. How about next Thursday for a tea/coffee at either Bar du Musee or Biscuit (just across the road from Bar du Musee, they had some lovely looking brownies in the window)?

Thanks for all your good wishes, everyone.

Tupperwife - lunch on 29 April is a lovely idea. Maya and I will be there with bells on if the date suits others.

elk - interesting question about cats. Ours is an occasionally irascible but affectionate old rescue cat, who doesn't like children and resists change . He has a basket under a worktop in the kitchen which he loved for about two weeks and then abandoned for five months until about 5 days before Maya was born. He re-adopted it as a safe place before she arrived, and now goes there when things get too much. I think he sees our newborn as another little pet that we've acquired. He stares at her a bit, has the odd sniff, but otherwise ignores her. His nose is a little out of joint when she is on the sofa with us, but we try to give him as much attention as possible and he is coping pretty well. Often when I am in bed in the morning feeding Maya, or on the sofa in the afternoon, he'll join us and lie next to me, so I think he's prepared to put up with things. Hopefully by the time she gets bigger and louder he'll have totally accepted her. How he'll feel when she becomes self-propelled is another matter, however...

Hope that helps.

Hi Everyone
My due dates not until 9th June so Ive got another 8 and a half weeks to go. Im working until mid May so may not join any of the getherings for a while yet although I really should get my bum in to gear and join in the aquanatal class!
Have a good lunch today and enjoy the easter break.
Marie x

Well, since nothing's been decided yet, I say:

1.30pm today, George's/Bar du Musee (can't remember what it's called any more!), Greenwich.

If anyone has any major objections we can always move, but at least we have a meeting place and time - and there is plenty of room for buggies there, if any are coming.

I'll be there, if nobody else turns up by 1.45 I'll go home, as I'm not sure who's coming. Hope to see some of you at yoga/lunch!

Congratulations DaisyJ and looking forwards to a walk in the park next week and to meeting Maya. So pleased the home birth went according to plan - is something i am definitely considering if there is a "next time"

Good to have even more new faces - there are just loads of us!

29th April works well for me in Blackheath. Happy Easter all.

Hip hip hooray! Congratulations to all the new Mums, fabulous news! Glad you're all doing well. Seems there has been a run on little girls recently... plenty of playmates for my pink parcel due in June ;-)

Welcome rie1 and all other newbies to the thread. Look forward to meeting you soon.

Hope everyone has a lovely Easter weekend enjoying the new babies, or in my case scoffing double the amount of chocolate eggs. (I'm pregnant - it's my right and duty!!!)

BIG congratulations to all the new mums! Seems there's more and more on this thread
1:30 on Thurs. in central Greenwich works for me. Seems we're still undecided on the place though... anyone willing to take the lead on this?

a question for daisyj and any of the new mums with cats in the house: how was your cat's reaction to the new arrival? Any words of wisdom? tips on making the introduction smooth?

Hi everyone,

congratulations Clare (and daisyj and becko, again)! Someone (I'm 99% certain SE8mum but I'm losing my memory fast) told me Rosa7 had given birth and all was well, but I'm sure she'll update properly...

Tomorrow (Thurs) - yes, yoga at the Arches is the antenatal yoga session. 12-1.

We hadn't fixed a place to meet, other than 1.30pm in Greenwich. Only problem with Cafe Rouge, which a few people raised, is that the food is rubbish, so it's good for coffee and cake but not so good for lunch. Biscuit was suggested too - but I think they're going to be very busy, since it's school holidays and they've got some special Easter paint-your-own promotion running.

How about: the organic cafe, Royal Teas, George/Bar du Musee or Buenos Aires. Or Starbucks by Cutty Sark. Or Pizza Express or Saigon (noodles) if people are hungry for more than a sandwich. Would any of these work for anyone? If poss, it would be better to keep it central Greenwich rather than Royal Hill, if only for those of us walking from the Arches!

daisyj Really chuffed to hear that the pool was useful and of homebirth. Mr Tupperwife is still talking about a home waterbirth 'next time'...

Since those who don't yet have newborns are probably drowning in family anyway over Easter, shall we do a lunch towards the end of the month? Blackheath is pretty easy for everyone; what about the Railway? Or the Princess (with the option of sitting on the heath if it's a nice day )? What about Wednesday 29th April?

Hello all,
Becko, Clarerose and daisyj, fantastic news from you all. And a big welcome for babies Rowan, Layla and Maya - well done to all of you.
As I get scarily nearer to the top of the "labour list" its very encouraging to hear everyone's different experiences and good news.
I'm guessing that rosas silence means that there's some news there as well!
This thread gets gradually more "post-natal" every time I check it!
evergrounded (Emma!) - hello!
Rie - hello as well. Honestly, don't worry about being alone as a new mum round here! I'm still trying to get to grips with the number of new and pregnant mums in Blackheath!
At aquanatal yesterday some people were wondering about meeting up this Thus. I think some people are going to Yoga at the arches (is that a pregnancy Yoga thing or not?) and think that meeting somewhere round there at 1.30 afterwards would be good. I don't think anyone could decide where to go - although it seems to me that a growing meet up concern is going to be buggy space if new mums want to come along! We were previously meeting at Cafe Rouge in Greenwich, which might work. Anyone else got ideas?

Oh, and pics on my profile.

Hi all

Lovely to see this thread as lively as ever. Can't wait to meet up with people soon, so I can show off... Maya Celine...... born at home, 12.07 a.m., 1 April weighing 8lb 4oz. Home birth was fantastic. I didn't give birth in the pool in the end, but had a good three hours in there, which was lovely. The midwives were amazing, and waited right till the end to give me a little cut so I could get the little lady's big head out!

She is doing really well. Although she had lost a little bit too much weight at her 6-day check, she has fed brilliantly the past few days and slept for FOUR HOURS in one stretch last night, so figures crossed for her next weighing tomorrow, and if all is well I will be out and about with her in no time.

Becko - glad all is well. A walk in the park for us next week, methinks.

Tara - well done! Looking forward to meeting up with our antenatal class soon, if I haven't missed the next get together. Am off to check my Yahoo account to see what is being/has been planned.

Anyone heard from Rosa?

xx to all, especially those due around now.

Hello ladies- may I join you? Have discovered this group through Ellie 732 - am also a Blackheath/Greenwich mum-to-be - due date is 30 April, and have just started coming to Aquanatal- my real name is Emma- met some of you today!

Hi

Rie1: welcome and soon you won't know how to get rid of us am sure! Congrats on baby and hope to meet with you soon though am only just starting to venture out with 3 week old baby so taking a while! What is your exact due date and can update the list by the way?

clare7rose - so nice to hear you and Layla doing well after such a long labour, luckily that hormone kicks in where we start to forget all the details soon!

ToastnHoney - thinking of you and your due date this weekend!!

Ellora x

Hi
Clare7rose suggested that I sign up to Mums net as I havnt started ante natal classes yet and dont know many Mums to be in the area.
Im due in June and start maternity leave in just under 6 weeks so would love to join any social events which are arranged - Im worried about being a loner with a baby otherwise!!
x

Hi everyone!

Sorry I haven't been online for a while, I had a bit of a stressful time in hospital.. was in labour for 3 days before finally having a c.section, but Layla Rose is just perfect and it's all forgotten now.. I'm recovering well.

My Mum has been to stay for the last few days and some sort of routine has started which is good, last night Layla slept really well and I had 5 hours unbroken sleep - delightful!!!! I doubt it will be like that tonight though. The test will be when Mum goes home.

Congratulations to all the new arrivals..! Wow, there's been a bit of a boom while I've been away!

Looking forward to catching up with all of you soon, I have quite a few visitors over the next week or so and my in-laws are arriving for a week on Wednesday, but I might be able to pop out at some point so will keep an eye on here for the meet ups.

Love to all!
Clare & Layla Rose xx

Hello all,

Normal communication has been resumed after radio silence. Rowan is now 9 days old and we have started some form of routine which means less crying (from me!) and more feeding (from her!).

Tara373 congrats on the speedy labour! Hope the postman had brought something worthwhile!

Thinking of you Daisyj and *Rosa 7* - do hope all goes well.

Hopfully we'll be joing the Greenwich outings in the next week or so.

xxxxx

Great, see some of you at 2 then xx

I can do cafe rouge greenwich at 2 rather than 3...shall we say 2 then?

I can do cafe rouge at 2...please confirm if we change the time

Hi all. Work's still manic, so didn't make aquanatal yesterday.

Meet-up at The Railway tonight - is anyone planning to go? I think only 2 or 3 of us were definites anyway, so if Feb80 can't make it, it sounds like it's probably off! I could potentially still make it, if at least 2 other people are planning to go, and say so here in the next 2 or 3 hours.

Next Wednesday (8 April) would actually work better for me, given work at the moment, but that might be too late for some of you - can anyone make that date, or want to?

I'll be at yoga at the Arches tomorrow - anyone else? Can do lunch straight afterwards, but Cafe Rouge at 2pm or later doesn't really work for me, since yoga finishes at 1pm.

Finally - congratulations to all those with new arrivals! There seems to have been a bumper crop in the past week or so!

And good luck to those waiting - Rosa7 and Daisyj, if they still are(!) - and Toastnhoney for the weekend!

I did propose a meet-up at The Railway tonight but am no longer able to make it, sorry. Don't know if there was much interest though as most of us now seem to be on mat leave or already have their bundles of joy! If anyone does still decide to catch up this evening I hope you have a nice time. See you soon! x

Hello all! Great to see some of you at aquanatal yesterday.

Anyone heard any news from rosa7 or daisyj?

Do we still have plans for local bumps/babies to meet up in Cafe Rouge in Greenwich tomorrow afternoon? I am up for it as need to distract myself from the fact that my due date is this weekend!

If so, can I make a selfish plea that we meet slightly earlier, maybe 2pm? I've got to head off to the osteopath at 3.

I see Tupperbaby will be recovering from his jabs but is anyone else planning to be there?

xx

My pool already found a new home with daisyj

QEH have a permanent pool and a couple of inflatables, so no need to take your own there, not sure what Lewisham have. It's also worth checking that all their midwives are trained to do water births, and if they routinely deliver in water as well as labouring. I was asked to get out for an internal exam (I refused ), and told to get out for the third stage (very glad I did, I had a huge shivering fit just after the cord was cut which would have scared me if I'd still been in the pool).

8 week jabs were OK yesterday, he slept very heavily last night so is a real hungry Horace this morning...

Tupperwife, have you still got your birth pool? if not any recommendations? and can we take it to hospital?

thanks

Tupperbaby had BCG yesterday and is having 8 week check and jabs today [grumpy baby emoticon] so we'll give this week's pub trip and Cafe Rouge a miss I think.

This Friday is the boat that rocked at the Picturehouse at 11.30; apparently there is no discernible plot and a great soundtrack so it sounds like the perfect film for the sleep deprived and short of concentration! Maybe see some of you there (remember to go early if it's your first trip cos you'll need to join and the queue is MAHOOSIVE because of all the prams)

Hi

Tara373 - my god that was an impressive labour (answering the door to postman)and great timing with your maternity leave.

daisyj and Rosa7 and ToastnHoney - good luck and hope all well now you are all on or near due dates this week, will be crossing all fingers and toes!

Not sure when next meet up is with babies?

Latest update:

*Baggage in Hall*
Becko - girl - Rowan
Clare7rose - girl - Layla
Tupperwife - Samuel
Beano 7 - boy - Archie
Ellora - boy - Arlo
TinaReeves - girl -Marley

Expected
Rosa7/march 23/Kings
Daisyj/March 29/Lewisham (or home)
Tara373/April 3/QEH
ToastnHoney/April 4/Home (or Lewisham)
Elk4baby/april 11/Portland
ellie732/april 22/ Home (or Lewisham)
Se8mum/april 23/Lewisham
Heverhoney1/May 2nd/ QEH
paulawilkie/May 15/Lewisham
Helpivegottogivebirth/june 6th/QEH
feb80/june 30/Lewisham
amytotty/july 8/QEH
BumpMakesTwoAndABit/July 13/home (or QEH)
jas28/july 17/Lewisham
cazinski/august 13/QEH
powpow/september 24/???

Hello all,

Congratulations to all who are no longer 'in waiting'!
I've had a manic couple of weeks.
Started mat leave on 16th...baby arrived on 18th! 8 hours after waters broke running to answer the door to postman .
Unfortunately the following wednesday we had to go to SCBU as Jasmine had severe jaundice. Thankfully she was only in for three days and is now home and healthy.

Will try to make it tomorrow night
Tara

Hello, its the first time I have managed to get onto mumsnet since little Archie arrived, I have managed to miss out on meeting up with you all so far but now the little man has settled in a bit I will be coming along to the next get together.

becko - . Feel very privileged to have been able to be of some (small) service! Fantastic that it all went so quickly and smoothly, you lucky thing. Can't wait to meet Rowan Jane.

Ellora - glad the outing went well - gorgeous pics .

xx to all

Fantastic made it back and he slept from start to finish he was the perfect angel......touch wood!!

latest update

*Baggage in Hall*
Becko - girl - Rowan
Clare7rose - girl - Layla
Tupperwife - Samuel
Beano 7 - boy
Ellora - boy - Arlo
TinaReeves - girl -Marley

Expected
Rosa7/march 23/Kings
Daisyj/March 29/Lewisham (or home)
Tara373/April 3/QEH
ToastnHoney/April 4/Home (or Lewisham)
Elk4baby/april 11/Portland
ellie732/april 22/ Home (or Lewisham)
Se8mum/april 23/Lewisham
Heverhoney1/May 2nd/ QEH
paulawilkie/May 15/Lewisham
Helpivegottogivebirth/june 6th/QEH
feb80/june 30/Lewisham
amytotty/july 8/QEH
BumpMakesTwoAndABit/July 13/home (or QEH)
jas28/july 17/Lewisham
cazinski/august 13/QEH
powpow/september 24/???

Awww ellora the pics are gorgeous - Arlo looks adorable!

Hope your first outing goes well... at least it's only a few minutes walk!

xx

Becko, congrats your'e home and its a girl!! The flower lady owes you your money back!!

Off to doctor today in 20 minutes and first time been out with him so wish me luck and lets hope he/me remains calm!!

Am uploading piccies here of Arlo too

http://gallery.me.com/elloras/100013

Would love to see others pictures feel free to share.

Hope to catch up soon with everyone.
Ellora x

becko that is such amazing news - congratulations!! how wonderful to be home with your baby!

can't quite believe it all happened so quickly, and on your due date! thats one coffee outing i'll never forget!

and huge congratulations also to clarerose and ellora - great to hear your news!

rosa xx

Wow congratulations becko, that is so exciting!

To think we were floating serenely around in the pool with you only that morning! I'm definitely going back next week.

Looking forward to meeting her!

Hi all, Just to let you know that aqua aerobics is the way to go to shift these babies! Rowan Jane was born on her due date (Tuesday 24th)at 9.57pm 7 hours after my waters broke in Costa Coffee in Blackheath when I was with DaisyJ and Rosa7 Thank you for your support girls! It was all rather rapid but we are all back home and settling in. Looking forwards to meeting up again soon.

Fantastic to hear about new arrivals, congratulations ladies!

Sam is now sleeping 4 hours at a stretch at night, and he's 7 weeks, so it does get easier. The nappies are much less toxic after the first couple of weeks as well ! I'm already missing the tiny scrunched up newborn stage tho...

For lunches, I'm deep in research already. The Vanbrugh Tavern does an excellent lunch, £10 for 2 courses and a drink, just along from Westcombe Park station. Bar de Musee is OK, but the menu is overpriced. I like the Princess in Blackheath, they do 2 pies and drinks for £15. And I'm trying out Efe's for lunch today so will report back. Just as well breastfeeding uses loads of calories! If Sam agrees and it's not raining stair rods this afternoon we will try to come to Cafe Rouge for a cluck over the new babas.

Hi,
Just to remind people of our meeting at Cafe Rouge in Greenwich today at 3pm, as it seems there is some confusion...
see you there

Hi,
Just to remind people of our meeting at Cafe Rouge in Greenwich today at 3pm, as it seems there is some confusion...
see you there

Ellora and clarerose - huge congratulations - loving the names, too - any pics?

And jealous and now feeling super-impatient. I keep thinking I have twinges but I think it's just wishful thinking.

x

Hi ladies

Apologies for radio silence just back on the scene having had baby Arlo 10 days ago, cannot believe already 10 days old.

Be prepared for 4am messages from me as sleep is a thing of the past. Cannot wait to meet up with him and see more mums in the area!

Clarerose had little Layla yesterday and mum and baby doing well which is exciting!!

Not ventured out yet and Sat is first walk may end up being a recluse at this rate but slowly hopefuily should built up courage and comfort to venture out and tackle a baby feed in public and change nappy out the house too!

Ellora x

Anyone heard from becko?

Sorry - baby brain here. I thought 1st April was tonight. As Rosa pointed out to me it is in fact NEXT Wednesday. May or may not have a baby by then, but if not then I expect I'll be there . If people are meeting tomorrow, then may well join you.

x

Hi all,

becko - anyone can add themselves (or details) to the list, just copy and paste it

Hope you all enjoyed the aquanatal/Alacosta. As expected, I had too much work to meet up - started the day's marking at 8am, was teaching all afternoon and then had a meeting which lasted till 9pm. I'm shattered today and my left eye has gone fuzzy (so this will be a v short post!).

Just wondered if there is a plan to meet tomorrow? There were a couple of earlier posts, one mentioned lunch, one mentioned afternoon coffee.

Plus Weds April 1st, Railway, sounds good to me - daisyj - you mentioned sth about tonight in Blackheath, is that sth else, or are you getting muddled with dates as I am?! Hope your foot mends quickly. Chocolate cake helps most things, I find

We need a diary secretary... goodness knows how I'll ever remember playgroups, mother&baby classes, swim sessions, etc, once the baby's actually here.

thanks daisy & bump . Scan went really well and there is a healthy bean in there.
now perhaps I can stop worrying and enjoy my last pregnancy.

Would be happy to meet up sometime but would most likely have my boy in tow.

so lovely to see so many people in alacosta today!

great to see you too daisy, sending all good thoughts to clarerose and becko!

rosa xx

OK, have changed my mind and decided to stop being a wimp. Becko, am meeting Rosa at Costa in Blackheath at 2.30 - please join us if you can bear to heave yourself up there . Isn't today your due date?

becko - hope you had a nice time with your mum
yesterday. Think I might have to give the stroll a miss today, unfortunately. As a consequence of not being able to see my feet (and not just utter stupidity ) I smacked my foot into the leg of the sofa yesterday, and am limping pathetically today. DH will give me a lift to Blackheath tomorrow night, so looking forward to seeing you all there. Don't think I'm up to walking anywhere today, though. Toe is going nice and purple, so I'm going to stay in and watch DVDs.

xx

Hi all... I think clare7rose is in labour. My work colleague had a text yesterday to say "things" had started early in the morning and all has gone quiet since then. So we shall wait and see!

Bump - airport list made me chuckle. My flight had better not be too delayed

Weds 1st April for the next meet-up at The Railway then. First one there grab the big table, think we normally start arriving around 6.30pm.

Just realised I am already on the list... my expected place of birth is Barkantine Birthing Centre.

Hello all, been a bit slack about checking over the weekend. was a social one - trying to see people before I pop! I am on for aqua aerobics tomorrow and lunch so hope to see you there - I am hoping it won't be as tiring as last week.

Daisyj - I am in Blackheath today having lunch with my Mum but will be around tomorrow afternoon for a stroll in the park.

Can I be added to the arrivals board? Due tomorrow so probably be delayed!

Hope all the nearly due / over due mums are feeling OK! xxxxx

Hello,
Beano7, Ellora, Tina- many many congratulations.
Rosa7 and clare7rose thinking of you!

I thought I'd go to the aquanatal tommorrow (never tried it before...). For any one who wants to recognise me I'll be the very shortsighted, unfit and inflexible person floundering around unable to see without glasses. Very happy to meet for lunch afters with anyone else who's around.

At the Buenos Aires last week we talked about meeing again - but this time at Cafe Rouge in Greenwich- on Thurs at about 3 for tea - a for anyone on maternity leave/with bubba/who happens to be able to make it. We thought cafe rouge might have more buggy space. I'm still up for it SE8mum and elk!

hi powpow - welcome and good luck for your scan today. I had an mc this time last year at 11 weeks, so know the agony of waiting.

bump - nice new list . feb80, I'm up for Wednesday night if that suits people.

x

Rosa7 and Becko thinking about you this week
any news from Clare7rose?
Shall we meet on thursday again, Elk and Ellie and others who might be around? Bump, would be nice to see you. Is aqua on?

hi all,

Thought I'd update and reorganise the list (getting a bit out of order at the end!. It looks like an airport terminal arrivals board now...

*Baggage in Hall*
Tupperwife - Samuel
Beano 7 - boy
Ellora - boy
TinaReeves - girl

Delayed
Clare7rose/march 16/Queen Elizabeth

Expected
Rosa7/march 23/Kings
Becko/March 24/???
Daisyj/March 29/Lewisham (or home)
Tara373/April 3/QEH
ToastnHoney/April 4/Home (or Lewisham)
Elk4baby/april 11/Portland
ellie732/april 22/ Home (or Lewisham)
Se8mum/april 23/Lewisham
Heverhoney1/May 2nd/ QEH
paulawilkie/May 15/Lewisham
Helpivegottogivebirth/june 6th/QEH
feb80/june 30/Lewisham
amytotty/july 8/QEH
BumpMakesTwoAndABit/July 13/home (or QEH)
jas28/july 17/Lewisham
cazinski/august 13/QEH
powpow/september 24/???

there may be a couple of ppl missing, I tried to double-check from the past few pages - and there are birth venues to be updated. lizzytee joined a couple of pages back, but there was no EDD...

clare7rose - oooooooohhhhhhhhh.... getting excited! Have you finished installing the kitchen yet?!

rosa7 - and getting excited for you too! Go for the aquanatal - that'll shake the baby out! You did want a water-birth, didn't you?

Hi powpow. I know the feeling! I had a m/c in Nov 07, then another one at 16w at the beginning of October 08, before finding out I was pregnant again 4 weeks later. I had heavy bleeding from 6w5 to gone 12w, then again at 14w, and then more bleeding ten days ago - and each time I've been terrified I'm losing the baby. But so far, it seems determined to stay... Good luck with the scan tomorrow. As far as I'm aware, lizzytee, who made a couple of posts 2 pages back, is the only one who said she has children, apologies if I've overlooked anyone else. Think this is the first for most of us.

Well, I'm kind of relieved this weekend is almost over. Yesterday was my due date for the pregnancy I miscarried in October - and though it's made a lot easier by the fact that I'm pregnant now, the irony of it being Mother's Day weekend was not lost... best of all, it's V-day (24w - Viability!) tomorrow, and whilst I know that the date isn't miraculous, it is significant! I feel I can finally move on.

Hope all's well with everyone.

hi guys!
i'm up for lunch post-aqua on tues if no action around here... not sure about the class, but could potentially i spose! does anyone know if its on this week?
just taking a few days at a time for the moment, so thurs lunch is a poss too...just have to see how i'm feeling i guess!

huge congrats to beano7, ellora and tina!!

sending big hugs to clarerose

how are you feeling becko?

love rosa xx

Hi everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself. I've been lurking a bit here but haven't said anything because I wanted to wait until I really believed this pregnancy was going to stick.
I live in Ladywell and this will be my third child (fingers crossed). I'm due September 24th.
I'm 13 weeks now, have a scan on monday. I have been in agony waiting for this scan.
I had a MC back in July and this preg has been torture. I was bleeding at 7 weeks and ever since I've just been waiting for another MC.
I am starting to feel like that may not happen now and so I wanted to say hello.
I'll be starting a yoga class in May at the health center on hilly fields. Does anyone take classes there?
Do any of you have other kids? Mine are 7 and almost 4.
Looking forward to knowing you better.

hi all,

congratulations to the new mummies!

I'm losing track - who's still doing aquanatal and/or yoga at the Arches? And who's about to start? I don't want to ask ppl in the class itself 'are you on mumsnet?'!

I'm hoping to make aquanatal next week but not sure if I will - it's the last week of term (hurrah!!!!) and everything's a bit manic.

Will NOT be going to yoga though - Bernadette's away so it's Jane again. If anyone wants to meet for lunch in Maze Hill/Greenwich on Thursday anyway, I'm happy to do so - Clare7rose? SE8mum? rosa7? Anyone else?

Weds 1st April suits me. There is something appropriately foolish about a bunch of preggers women meeting in a pub, after all! I just hope I make it this time...

Thanks for the update, clare7rose. Curry and sex are supposed to help too - but my money's on a MAN coming up with that theory!! Congratulations to beano7, ellora and tina... we are all looking forward to hearing from you and maybe meeting the mini-me's.

daisyj and rosa7, I hope you are taking things easy! You've had some beautiful weather to enjoy recently, although from what I hear the final couple of weeks are all about sofa worshipping (shhh don't tell my yoga teacher... insists we sit on hard chairs towards the end...)

tupperwife - how are you doing? You must be a mummy pro by now. Lots of love to little Samuel.

May I suggest the next date for a meet-up? I think the general concensus was that Wednesdays are best How about 1 April at The Railway?

Keep well everyone and have a great weekend.

xx

Hi everyone, sorry I missed the meet yesterday at Buenos Aires - I was planning on coming but Greenwich can be a bit of a mission for me around that time with all that horrible traffic so I just stayed on the sofa! Hope you had fun, when is the next meet as I'll come to that if baby hasn't arrived (she's being fashionably late!!)

Regarding baby news, Beano7 and Ellora both had little boys and Tina had a little girl - Mum's and babies are all doing well so congrats to all of them .

Well bye for now.. I'm next on the list which is very scary but am very ready now and the eating of the pineapples has begun

Clare x

becko - sorry - I've been rubbish at keeping up this week. My brain fell out, and I couldn't get motivated even to check MN. After I posted last time I remembered that you were a few days ahead of me - would love to meet next week. I'm meeting rosa in Blackheath on Monday if you'd like to join us (there's a bus from Burnt Ash Hill/Road, I think), or we could just meet in our park on Tues (if you haven't popped)!

Feb80 for you stuck in the office - a taste of maternity leave is a dangerous thing, but I'm sure you'll get back in the swing. It'll be such fun when you're finally off - when's your last day at work?

x

Hello,
SE8mum, elk, Tupperwife and all other interested parties - see you tommorrow at Buenos Aires hopefully for 3pm!
Driving back from Witshire tho - so might be late...(again!)
I can't keep up at the moment - have we had some more bubs?? Congratulations if so!!

Hi all,

We might have a couple of new names and dates to add to this list n'est pas? And a couple of bubs!!

How exciting!

Beano 7/Feb 22
Ellora/march 11/St Thomas
Clare7rose/march 16/Queen Elizabeth
Rosa7/march 23/Kings
Daisyj/March 29/Lewisham (or home)
Tara373/April 3/Queen Elizabeth
ToastnHoney/April 4/Home (or Lewisham)
Elk4baby/april 11/Portland
ellie732/april 22/ Home (or Lewisham)
Se8mum/april 23/Lewisham
Heverhoney1/May 2nd/ Queen Elizabeth
paulawilkie/May 15/Lewisham
Helpivegottogivebirth/june 6th/Queen Elizabeth
feb80/june 30/Lewisham
BumpMakesTwoAndABit/July 13/home, I hope
jas28/july 17/Lewisham
cazinski/august 13/Queen Elizabeth
amytotty/july 8/Queen Elizabeth

bump you didn't miss much yesterday at aqua - the replacement teacher wore us out with non-stop frantic aerobics for the full hour and pumping techno beats! whew! we needed our alacosta revival after that I can tell you!
by the way, where is your acupuncture place in maze hill? Just in case I'm still waiting around this time next week!!

rosa x

Big sigh from my grey desk in grey office in grey City. I want to be on maternity leave now and enjoying the sunshine! All your plans sound lovely, enjoy ladies! Another 10 weeks to go for me, bah.....

Hi Daisyj I am due on 24th so a week to go. Would be great to meet up in the Park for a coffee. Assuming no action here, what about Thursday morning? Otherwise next week is all empty in my diary!

I am up for aqua natal and buenos aires at 3 on thursday...
elk, I had sciatica on and off and at some point was excrutiating...my advise is REST! it will get better.
Bump, hope we can catch up soon and am very happy to hear all is good.

I am up for aqua natal and buenos aires at 3 on thursday...
elk, I had sciatica on and off and at some point was excrutiating...my advise is REST! it will get better.
Bump, hope we can catch up soon and am very happy to hear all is good.

x-posted with Bump - glad all OK , and becko - <<waves>>. Let me know if you fancy popping to the park at any point in the next couple of weeks, becko. Can't remember how many weeks you are, but I can see myself wanting some company by the end of the month, as I walk round and round to bring Bo on . Hope he'll stay put for the next week though - I have loads to do, and I really need a rest, too - did a 12-hour day on Friday to get everything finished and I'm still knackered.

xx

ellora - haven't seen any birth announcement, but guessing you are by now the proud owner of a brand-new baby...?

elk - my first day of mat leave too I'm feeling weird being home, too. for your sciatica. I was going to complain about my groin ache, but I'm a bit to be making a fuss now! Hope it eases soon. Does massage help - can you get your DH on the case later?

SIL coming over for the day tomorrow, so aqua is out for me, and I have to take the cat to the vet on Thurs at 3.00, but would hopefully will get in at least one date before Bo arrives.

Tupperwife - nightmare about your mat cover - it's my dread that mine will run screaming in horror at some point in the next few weeks. However, while I can see why it would worry you, surely not your problem...? Or are you having to direct things from home?

Tara - all OK? Hope you're feeling a bit better now.

<<waves to everyone else>>

xx

Hi all,

Just spoken to the Arches in Greenwich and they have arranged cover for aqua aerobics tomorrow so hopefully see some of you there. In the meantime hope you are enjoying the lovely sunshine I hope the rest of the summer will be like this! Rebecca

Hi all. Thanks for the messages. We had the anomaly scan this morning (now 23 weeks), and everything was absolutely fine. No apparent cause for the bleeding at all - the placenta's right up at the top, so it can't even be that, and there's no sign of any blood anywhere. It's a bit frustrating that we'll never know, but very reassuring that it's not serious! (and, importantly, that it doesn't threaten my home birth plan!!!)

For those of you planning to go to aquanatal at the Arches tomorrow, don't forget that Sue is on holiday so somebody will need to phone the centre and see if a replacement has been found for her - they hadn't got anyone by the time of last week's class, so this week's class might well be cancelled.

I can't go - got a work meeting in the morning - but hope to be at yoga on Thurs, if anyone's at that, and both aquanatal and yoga next week.

Congrats to all those starting mat leave today, hope you enjoyed your lie-ins!

Ellie, SE8mum, Tupperwife and anyone else coming - Thursday tea/coffee sounds great. 3pm would also work for me.
Feels a bit strange being at home on a Monday , actually. The only thing that's spoiling the pleasure of sleeping in is my suddenly worsened sciatica. Took a very-very long walk yesterday and I think I might have overdone it, so am paying for it quite dearly today. Any movement sends me up the wall, so I don't know if I'll be able to make the aquanatal tomorrow. Will do my best, but if getting up from bed is as hard as it was today, I'll probably just stay in there.

If you're going for tea on Thursday, Samuel and I will try to make it. Buenos Aires was great a couple of weeks ago, they've got a bit of pram room (unlike Royal Teas ). My 6 week check is tomorrow so I'll have more details to share. I've also got a rapidly growing bag of stuff that's too small for him looking for a good home.

Beware I need a bit of a rant tho, my maternity cover quit last week so I'm v stressed. Maybe camomile tea for me...

Hello all,
Ellora - exciting!

Bump Thinking of you and hope that all is well.

Sorry I didn't manage to see most of you at the pub on Wednesday - I did actually turn up, but I was so late most people had gone home! Been working too hard at work trying to get everything sorted before mat. leave, but - hurrah! - now all done, and, yes, I am yet another person starting Maternity leave on Monday 16th.

*SE8mum, Elk* and anyone else who wants to come along, - love to meet up next week. Going away for couple days with DH for last break in peace - but should be back on Thurs afternoon. Cup(s) of tea and cake on Thus about 3? Or lunch on Friday about 1? Could go to "Royal Teas" or Buenos Aires Cafe (on same road as Union pub, I think). Let me know what works for you.

Anyone for aqua or swimming on tuesday?
Elk and Ellie are you up for meeting on thursday, when we start maternity leave?

Sorry to have missed out on Wednesday. Typically, I have been ill since I started my leave last Saturday and didn't want to infect anyone else. Will try to make Tuesday Aquanatal if I'm any better.

Wow! All the best to Ellora, I hope everything goes well.

Great to see everyone last night! and all the blooming bellies too! They'v really grown over the past couple of weeks .

BumpMakesTwoAndABit, I hope you're better. And please try not to worry too much (easier said than done, I know). I actually heard of a woman bleeding throughout her pregnancy and having a perfectly healthy little baby. Everyone is different, of course, and you need to make sure you have it checked out, but keep in mind that it just might be within the range of 'normal' for your body.

Great to see everyone last night

BumpMakesTwoAndABit hope you feel better soon and that all will go well for Ellora, who is now in labour I believe!

Hi

Sorry ladies am going to have to pull out of tonight, baby been kicking so hard all afternoon feel bruised to the bone as he did so yesterday too! Not sure if the cramps are caused by him kicking or causing him to kick and so better play it by ear this evening especially as today my due date, but would be too lucky to have him on my due date me thinks.

Hope you all have a lovely night tonight and look forwrad to meeting yourselves soon especially when the better weather hits us.

Ellora

bumpmakestwo, so sorry you're going through this, but glad baby OK. I know a little bit how you feel, as I had a couple of bleeding episodes around 26 weeks, and it is nerve-racking. Take it as easy as possible for the next few days - I hope the time goes quickly for you till your scan. Remember they are pretty hardy by now if they've decided to stay put this long!

x

Hi all

Bumpmakestwoandabit
really sorry to hear of your experience I really hope you feel better soon and we'll see you soon!

becko good to see you online! and will be lovely to meet you again tonight

see you all later!

rosa x

Hi BumpMakesTwoAndABit

So sorry to hear about everything and hope you feel better and all well soon and will pass on that you cannot make tonight.

Hi all, if anyone sees this in the next three hours, I'm afraid I won't be coming tonight after all. I've just got home from the hospital after another bleeding episode this morning. All seems to be fine, thank goodness, and baby luckily seems to be happy to stay put (I'm only 22w!) but I'm exhausted. We've got the anomaly scan scheduled for Monday, so I chose not to bring it forward to today as DH wouldn't be there, but it means we don't know what caused the bleeding.

I've also lost a day of work, so won't be going to yoga tomorrow, whoever takes it, and won't be around for lunch either.

Have a good time!

Thanks Daisyj, a lift would be much appreciated tonight. How are you doing? Not long to go now... Hope you are finally off work and putting your feet up! See you later.

x

feb80 - Don't know what yours is up to, but my DH is happy to do driving duty tonight if you need a lift.

See y'all later.

x

Hi Becko

Looking forward to meeting everyone tonight and see you all there!
Ellora :-)

Hi everyone, Can I join you too please? I am Rebecca and I live in Hither Green. I know a few of the girls on the thread through NCT. Looking forwards to meeting a few more tomorrow. I am due in 2 weeks (24th) and don't know what I am having yet!

hey BumpMakesTwoAndABit, thanks for the advice! I'm closer to Greenwich actually, so might take the 386 to the station - the Railway isn't that far from Blackheath mainline, right?
I'm working from home Wed. (yeay!), so that's where I'll be coming from that day .

so are there three ppl starting mat leave on the 16th then? Wow...

elk4baby - Deptford-Blackheath isn't the easiest. The 53 goes to the Standard, so you could change there to get a bus to the Village. The 386 goes from Greenwich South St to Blackheath Station, so if you're closer to Greenwich it's easy. Or you could go to Lewisham by bus/DLR and change to mainline train. But if you're working on Weds, won't you be coming straight from work anyway?

Well done DaisyJ - not long to go now!

Hi everyone at what must surely be the best local thread on MN ever! Look forward to seeing lots of you at The Railway on Wednesday. My last week at work this coming week - hurrah! Last week was super-busy with handover to my maternity cover. This week I'm handing her my office and hiding down the corridor to get a few last-minute things finished. I'm hoping it won't be too strenuous, though.

I booked in for a homebirth at my mw appointment on Tuesday, and mw is coming over tomorrow morning to give me my home pack and have a chat. Ohmygodi'mhavingababy!!! (not right now, but you know what I mean).

Hi all and welcome to all the newbies , good to see there's more and more of us.
Haven't been on here for a while - last couple of weeks at work have been quite hectic. But, the good news is I'm starting my mat. leave from the week of 16th !
I'm taking Tuesday off, so unless something comes up should see some of you at the aqua-natal class. Should also be able to make it on Wednesday, so hope to see some familiar as well as new faces there. (btw, if anyone has advice on the best way to get there from Greenwich/Deptford, I'd appreciate it).

Update from the Arches:

Aquanatal back on, pool appears to be still full so I guess they've fixed the leak...

Yoga: Bernadette may be away this coming week, in which case it's Jane (same woman as last time) again. Bernadette is definitely away 26th March as well. I'm going to phone the Arches on Thurs morning to find out who's taking the class. I'd be up for lunch whatever, but if it's the other teacher, I am so NOT up for yoga!

See you all on Wednesday....

Hi Ladies, I hope to make it on Wednesday night. Im sure Ill recognise you all! Ill get there are early as I can. Looking forward to it.

Paula

Hi Tupperwife and heverhoney1

So so far still on for Wednesday at The Railway and looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible and see yoga ladies tomorrow.

Thinking of Beano 7 mum, due today and hope all went well!

Glad to see so many Mums to be joining the thread, and looking forward to meeting Beano 7 and Ellora's new arrivals when they make an entrance.

If I can get sorted and you'll have me, I'll gatecrash lunch post yoga on Thursday. No promises though, it can still take 2 hours to leave the house !

Ah I have the worst luck meeting you ladies!! I am already double booked for the 11th so wont be able to meet up then. Good news is I have a week off the week after next so I may well venture to Aqua natal if it is back on again. See you all soon

Ellora, let us know if you are coming on Wednesday and we can all go together. great to see yoga group here as well!
Any news from Arches group on aqua natal classes?
Looking forward to seeing everyone next week!

Hi there everyone.

I'm new to mumsnet. Heard about it from clare7rose. I hope you don't mind me joining your thread.

Keen to meet more mummies to be around Greenwich/Blackheath.

Was due on Tues so not sure if I will venture out over the next few days but would love to meet up with you all afterwards.

Hiya

Sounds great if baby has not arrived yet and am happy to pick up ladies in Brockley/St Johns again and drive there. I know where SE8mum and ToastnHoney live.

Thanks so much for the invite, in my diary now!

Hello Ellora!

Next meet up is on Weds 11th, from 6.30pm at the Railway - that's your due date isn't it! Assuming nothing has 'happened' you should definitely join us. You, Se8mum and I (and anyone else coming from St Johns/Brockley?) could head over there together?

Hi ladies

My names Ellora (like my username so hopefully helps) and would really like to say hi and see if I can join this thread.

Clare7rose (NCT classes) recommended this thread to me as I live in Brockley, Lewisham and would be nice to meet likeminded mums in the area.

Also know SE8mum (yoga classes) who also recommended and Beano7 from NCT too.

ToastnHoney the glazing gave it away Harriet hi to you too hun!!

Am 39 weeks today so due pretty shortly now but lovely to say hi to all the mums to be.

Just updated the last thread list but sorry if I missed anyone off.

Am doing my final yoga class on Saturday but I feel like I missed out with all the swimming though I did look like a beached whale when I gave it a go as the bump kept floating to the top!!

Hope to meet you though soon when the next meet might be next week?

List

Beano 7/Feb 22
Ellora/march 11/St Thomas
Clare7rose/march 16/Queen Elizabeth
Rosa7/march 23/Kings
Daisyj/March 29/Lewisham (or home)
Tara373/April 3/Queen Elizabeth
ToastnHoney/April 4/Home (or Lewisham)
Elk4baby/april 11/Portland
ellie732/april 22/ Home (or Lewisham)
Se8mum/april 23/Lewisham
Heverhoney1/May 2nd/ Queen Elizabeth
paulawilkie/May 15/Lewisham
Helpivegottogivebirth/june 6th/Queen Elizabeth
feb80/june 30/Lewisham
BumpMakesTwoAndABit/July 13/home, I hope
jas28/july 17/Lewisham
cazinski/august 13/Queen Elizabeth
amytotty/july 8/Queen Elizabeth

Feb80, good to see you yesterday, I really enjoyed the aquanatal, think will def go again next week.

Tara, I wouldn't worry, I haven't been v good at exercising either while pregnant (except for yoga which doesn't feel as strenuous somehow), but yesterday was fine, and as you are underwater no-one can see how much you are doing so you can always take it easy!

Was planning to come along to yoga and lunch tomorrow but have been seized with conviction that must have double glazing installed in our bedrooms immediately, so now have people coming round tomorrow to give me quotes. (I know, this may be a slightly mad thing to do at nearly 36 wks pg, maybe it's nesting kicking in?!)

Rosa, that list looks brilliant already, we're clearly going to be spoilt for choice!

Look forward to seeing you all at the Railway next week. (And hello SE8mum - glad you're coming next week too!)

xx

Hiya girls.

Bump - Cool, 1pm tomorrow outside the Arches it is - I don't mind where we go, see you then.

Feb80 - I can pick you up if you like, will text you.

p.s. Railway on Wed 11th at 6.30pm sounds like a plan.

x

clare7rose and anyone else...

Yes, lunch is definitely on.

The yoga class is 12-1 on Thursday, but takes a few minutes of putting away mats, etc, at the end.

I normally go across to Alacosta (pretty much opposite the Arches), and so far others have been happy to come with me.

However - I'm starting to get confused between names on here and real life names, and who's doing yoga and who's not. Also, who normally comes to yoga/lunch but isn't on Mumsnet... Therefore I haven't a clue what kind of numbers we're talking about. If anyone can help me with my confusion, that would be great!

Alacosta is small, has a round table for 4 and 4 small square ones for 2 or 3.

There's also La Salumeria, the Italian deli slightly futher up the road (towards Charlton, but nowhere near that far!) - now has a cafe at the back with bench seating and chairs, usually quite quiet, does great ciabattas but you can also get lasagne, etc. If we had more than 4 people, that would be a better choice.

There are a couple of others in the Maze Hill stretch but I've not checked them out - I'm loyal to my favourites!

My suggestion would be to meet at the entrance to the Arches at 1pm tomorrow, or shortly thereafter, then see how many of us there are.

Plus the best breastfeeding support group in the area by a long way, Tuesdays 10 to 12 at the Shaftesbury Christian Centre on Frankham St off Deptford High St-it's just moved from another venue.

More details here

Just had email about this grant for those of you not about to drop:
http://campaigns.direct.gov.uk/money4mum2be/

I'm three days out

Hi there, can I join? I have been lurking for some time as am 33+4 with dc2 and live in Greenwich. The activities list looks great, would also suggest you check out the sure start/children's centre activities as there is often lots on there that isn't particularly well publicised and it is usually free.

Thanks for your ideas for this!! Keep 'em coming!!

Greenwich / Blackheath Calendar of Events for Mums & Bubs!

Monday

11.15am Mummy and baby yoga, Brandram Rd Community Centre
details

2.30pm Boppin bunnies musical group, St Mark's Community Centre, Greenwich South St
details

Tuesday

10.15 Running Mummies, Greenwich Park
details

10.30am Postnatal yoga for mums and bubs, Deptford Albany
details

2pm Baby rhyme time, Blackheath Library
details

Wednesday

11.30amThe Big Scream, Greenwich Picturehouse
details

1pm Baby Salsa, Mycenae House
details

Thursday

10.15 Running Mummies, Greenwich Park
details

11.15 Baby Bounce (singing/stories), Lewisham Library
details

2pm Baby rhyme time, Blackheath Library
details

Friday

9:30am Boppin bunnies musical group, St Mark's Community Centre, Greenwich South St
details0

11.30am The Big Scream, Greenwich Picturehouse
details1

1.50pm Boppin bunnies musical group, St Mark's Community Centre, Greenwich South St
details2

Saturday

Sunday

I'll be there.

Thinking about attending aquanatal on Tues as I start mat leave but am a bit concerned as I have done absolutely no exercise during pregnancy .

Ahhhh! missed aqua-natal! oh dear
went for the tour of lewisham hospital yesterday it was quite impressive i must say! especially all those ensuite bathrooms and cheap private rooms in the post-natal ward!

11th at railway sounds good!

righto, off to update the calendar...

so, Wednesday 11th at the Railway 6.30?

P.S. ToastnHoney, nice to see you yesterday at aquanatal and meet your NCT friends. Loving the coffee and jaffa cakes afterwards!

My vote definitely goes to The Railway. Helpivegottogivebirth I'm glad the first class was good, Sophie was so nice I'm sure her sessions are excellent. Clare7rose Lunch on Thursday would be lovely, text me when/where or I'll check back on the thread. I won't do the Arches yoga though as I'll be at the usual Blackheath class in the evening.

Am seriously getting used to this "taster" maternity week off! How am I going to keep motivated at work for the next 12 weeks before I can do it for real???

Have a nice day everyone. x

Hi all,

Had our first antenatal class last night with Sofie - it went really well and husband actually enjoyed it. I was worried he might get bored.

Wednesday 11th is good - i say let's go back to Blackheath and the Railway - we now have 2 good venues - one in each place so we can alternate.

Lucy

Hi all, I'm free next Wednesday evening too and I don't mind Greenwich or Blackheath although Blackheath is probably easier.

Are you girls who are going to yoga this Thursday (5th) planning on going for lunch afterwards as if so I may join you for the lunch bit (have paid for Thurs night yoga classes you see). If so, what time? Feb80 are you around Thurs for lunch if the girls are meeting?

x

Hi all.

What??!? I missed the aquanatal class?! How annoying. Oh well. At least my seminars got prepared. Nothing like leaving everything to the last minute...

Well, I'll see some of you at yoga on Thurs and others at the aquanatal next week.

Meanwhile, Weds 11th works for me too. Don't mind whether it's Greenwich or Blackheath, just as long as it has plenty of seats (guess you all feel the same about seating!).

It's at 10am - I'll be there in an embarrassingly inadequate black bikini as got no proper preg swimwear!

Don't know about parking though got a feeling there's a carpark opposite?

Really??? I'm coming!!! What time is it? Off on holiday this week and was gutted to find out the pool was closed. Does anyone know where I can park - help! Thanks Toast - see you there. I'll be in a red and blue stripy tankini!

Ooh thanks for the warning - luckily I did check in - however just rang the Arches and looks like they've finished the maintenance work earlier than planned as they told me that the leisure pool is open again and aquanatal is ON today.

So am going to try my luck.... if they're lying, I guess there's always a walk in the park to be had!

xx

ToastnHoney - I hope you check this thread before setting off for the Arches - the WHOLE pool is closed this week, not just aquanatal classes. Wouldn't want you to have a wasted journey!

All - Wed 11 March works for me!

Helpivegottogivebirth - I went to Baby Show ExCel at the weekend as well. Settled on the Bugaboo Bee which we bought alongside Matt Willis from Busted and TV presenter wife Emma... well, if it's good enough for them...!

Hello all, hope everyone's doing well.

First day of maternity leave today - felt so great to have an afternoon nap!!

I'm planning on coming along to the Arches for aquanatal tomorrow morning along with one or two friends from my NCT class (or if the class is still off, then just a swim instead) - so hope to catch some of you there! Rosa, are you going?

How's about next Weds 11th for a meetup in Blackheath?

hi all!

and welcome to newbies! its so lovely to see more and more of us slowly crawling out of the woodwork! with the amount of bubs and bumps i see out and about in greenwich/blackheath its great to meet as many as poss i reckon!

tupperwife lovely to see you and sam the man twice last week! you are truly an inspiration!

daisy it was so great to meet sophie she's so lovely and relaxed! i took her card and its very re-assuring to have the details of someone to call if extra support needed after the birth

clare7 definitely up for meeting up next week - flexible on days and times. aqua-natal is back next tues am - hurrah!!

toastnhoney thanks so much for your contributions to the calendar and clever links i'll integrate these fabbo ideas (and yours ellie!) into my original list sometime this week! hope you are enjoying your 1st day of freedom! if you're like me it feels great and weird at the same time!

beano7 well HI neighbour!! can't wait to meet you up! maybe you, me, clarerose and whomever else can meet up soon, although going by dates i'm thinking you may have your hands full for a couple of weeks!

rosa xx

Week of the 9th is good for me as I start Mat leave then and plan to make the most of getting out of the house.

Slightly concerned about hairy baby now as I have had trouble eating anything due to heartburn issues for over a month and still five weeks to go!

hi everyone - hope all is well.

I had a fun time at excel at the weekend with my mother buying baby gros and moses baskets. Managed to blow the budget and still have made no decisions on pram/carrycot/buggy/carseat combo. It is so complicated!

Can i put in a desperate plea also that meet ups aren't on a Tuesday for the next few weeks. I start (with Paula - welcome!) our antenatal classes next week - I'd be torn!

Hi all,

Hope everyone's well. Just to say to clare7rose, rosa7 and anyone else intending to go to the Arches tomorrow morning that I won't be able to make it, sadly - too much work But I'll be at yoga on Thurs, and lunch afterwards.

If there's a meet-up next week, I'd love to come, but please not Tuesday (I teach Tues eve) or Friday (the NCT home birth workshop mentioned a couple of pages ago).

I'm up for another gathering next week, Blackheath preferable especially with the roadworks going on at the moment. Daisyj thanks for asking Sophie along last Tuesday, it was really good to pick her midwife brains!

Am off work this week for some nesting before I get too large so if there's anything going on locally please post details.

Hope you are all well.

Hey girls

Beano7 - nice to see you on here

Rosa7 - it's Beano7 who lives next door to you!!

I'd be up for meeting again soon, am not around much this week but am around week commencing 9th March for anyone who fanices it??

x

Hello ladies, it's been a while since Ive joined this thread as all I seem to do is work and sleep! You all put me to shame with so much activity - it must be my age!

helpivegottogivebirth I also start Bump to Bubba classes on 3rd March so I will look out for you. I'm the loud Irish one with the man with lots of curly hair and facial hair. It would appear that my son will be born with a head of thick curly hair like his dad based on the horrendous 24 hour heartburn Im experiencing - apparently a sign of a hairy baby!It would be lovely to say hi.

Sorry I missed both your gatherings, but I really would like to meet up & will keep an eye out for the next date.

Ive read with interest your tales of woe about your commutes. Im sure that some morning before I start maternity leave I'll throw a wobbly! I am amazed that the ignorance of fellow passengers. Ive plucked up the courage to ask for a seat a couple of times recently (as now obviously pregnant) and both times was given a seat; although one young couple refused to open the window and when I explained I was pregnant and needed fresh air if I had to stand, they told me it was tough and I should take my coat off! My consultant told me I should explain that standing can often cause me to throw up over my seated fellow passgengers - maybe that would give them the encouragement to give up their seats!

I'm also interested in hearing about home birth - it's not something I had considered really.

Anyway, I start maternity leave in 5 weeks - yahoo! I'll try to keep an eye on what's going on with you all. Ive also added myself below. Have a great week.

Paula

Clare7rose/march 16/Queen Elizabeth
Rosa7/march 23/Kings
Daisyj/March 29/Lewisham (or home)
Tara373/April 3/Queen Elizabeth
ToastnHoney/April 4/Home (or Lewisham)
Elk4baby/april 11/Portland
ellie732/april 22/ Home (or Lewisham)
Se8mum/april 23/Lewisham
Heverhoney1/May 2nd/ Queen Elizabeth
paulawilkie/May 15/Lewisham
Helpivegottogivebirth/june 6th/Queen Elizabeth
feb80/june 30/Lewisham
BumpMakesTwoAndABit/July 13/home, I hope
jas28/july 17/Lewisham
cazinski/august 13/Queen Elizabeth
amytotty/july 8/Queen Elizabeth

Hi, finally got on here to find the thread DaisyJ mentioned at antenatal class weeks ago...but better late than never!

I will definitely come to next gathering and am going to add myself to the old list (hope I haven't left anyone off):

Clare7rose/march 16/Queen Elizabeth
Rosa7/march 23/Kings
Daisyj/March 29/Lewisham (or home)
Tara373/April 3/Queen Elizabeth
ToastnHoney/April 4/Home (or Lewisham)
Elk4baby/april 11/Portland
ellie732/april 22/ Home (or Lewisham)
Se8mum/april 23/Lewisham
Heverhoney1/May 2nd/ Queen Elizabeth
Helpivegottogivebirth/june 6th/Queen Elizabeth
feb80/june 30/Lewisham
BumpMakesTwoAndABit/July 13/home, I hope
jas28/july 17/Lewisham
cazinski/august 13/Queen Elizabeth
amytotty/july 8/Queen Elizabeth

Hello all,
Lovely to see some of you on Tuesday and lovely to meet little Samuel - he's gorgeous!
Heverhoney - poor thing about the grim hospital experience - I don't think you should be though, I think you do just want to check everything out when you're pregnant - it not your fault you had to wait 4 hours!!
Clarerose - thanks so much for the lift, really appreciated.
Diasyj - have you really only been forgetful this week?? I've been wandering about in a daze for months now - just lost my work pass for the second time in 2 weeks...
Bump - I've been going to some of Bernadette's preg yoga classes at Deptford Albany, and I totally agree with you - deinately low on "hippyisms" and she seems to know what she's doing and be pretty knowledgeable about other stuff to do with labour and birth as well. I think she's running some birth preparation workshops that are based a bit on the active birth stuff - I would have gone, but already booked on those days ( I think the details are all on the peaceful practice website).
I'm also going for the HB option if poss - not able to have most of the hardcore pain relief options for medical reasons anyway [there is no smiley to express terror], don't have to fight with other people for the birthing pool, and never really liked hospitals anyway. Also, I don't think they'd hesitate to whisk you off to hospital if you really needed it.
On the "stuff to do with babies" theme, www.netmums.com (confusing, huh?)have a list of local mum and baby/toddler groups - I think you have to register with them to access the info, but its free- they also have local area reps, who are supposed to organise get togethers - although I think the age range does include a few older kids. Lewisham Librbary also has a "baby bounce" session, which is apparently really popular (ie: crowded?) on thus at 11.15 - 11.45 and 2.15 - 2.45.

Hello, clare7rose is in my NCT group and told me about netmums so I thought I'd drop in and say hello.

I am now a week overdue (dd was on 20 Feb)but trying to keep myself busy!

xx

bump at your hospital experience. Ugh. If I hadn't been convinced about opting for a homebirth after speaking to Tupperwife (I just wrote Tupperwise then )I certainly would be now! Am hoping to be able to finalise this at my 36-week midwife appointment next Tuesday, but I'm now prepared to fight for it if any objections are raised!

Can't wait for my two weeks on maternity leave, when I can join you all for yoga, etc. (unless Bo makes an early appearance).

Some lovely new hormones kicked in yesterday, and I've spent the last two (busy at work) days floating around, forgetting things (yet still somehow managing to get a surprising amount done, although I dread to think what terrible mistakes I've set in train for my maternity cover to have to untangle!)

ToastnHoney - what a lovely send-off. I might have to drop some hints to my colleagues...

heverhoney - glad you're OK. We were wondering about you on Tuesday...

heverhoney1 - hope you're feeling better. Amazing your blood pressure came down after a 4-hr wait at QEH!

ToastnHoney - I enjoy them... They're very gentle, so not much like other yoga classes I've done (more a kind of 'stretch and relax' class), but you do feel you're doing something. She's not too hippy either - no 'ommming' - and is very good at checking your posture and suggesting alternatives/checking everyone's ok. I do think the classes are better the earlier you can start, just because it's easier when you still have some flexibility.

What do others think?

Hi all,

It was really great meeting all of you Tues. night! So good to know there are people around that are in the same boat .

We should really get together again in a couple weeks. What do you think?

heverhoney1, hope you're doing better now. sorry for you long wait, it can be quite stressful...

Heverhoney1, you poor thing, how unpleasant. Glad things are ok.

Also sorry I missed you guys last night. My work leaving do was great though - posh curry at the Cinnamon Club in Westminster, yummmm.

Bump, thanks for that info, are the classes at the arches good? I might try it next week with my newfound leisure time!!

Sorry I missed you ladies last night. Having spent 4 hours at QEH on Mon night I was a bit shattered. Turns out to be no more than a bit of anemia but it had sent my pulse high and my bp went up to join it - lovely. After 4 hour wait both had gone down - double

Hope you all had a lovely time xxx

Oh, we're definitely going for homebirth assuming all is well - as I pointed out to DH, he's not the one doing it, so he doesn't get a choice! And after he spent 6 hours with me in QEH's A&E after a sudden heavy bleed at 14w, only for us to be discharged with 'I can't tell if the baby's alive or dead, sorry, come back tomorrow if you haven't miscarried by then' , and saw for himself the blood and faeces (not mine!)all over the loo and examination cubicle floor, not to mention the lack of latex gloves, sterile speculum (specula? speculae?) and paper sheets for the couch, he too went off the hospital birth idea...

Personally, I don't see the lack of hardcore pain relief as a disadvantage. A few years ago I was given prescribed painkilling drugs for a disorder of the central nervous system, I had a really bad reaction and I'd much prefer the pain. I haven't even taken a paracetamol since, I am absolutely terrified of potential side-effects now. The thought of pethidine or an epidural scares me much more than the pain. Better the devil you know!

It's good to know you got discharged immediately. Makes me hope that if, for whatever reason, I do need to go into the hospital, I'll get out quickly. Whereabouts are you and which hospital did you go to in the end?

I don't mind cake-baking (I make a good banana cake ) but if I'm making it in early labour, I'm going to be very annoyed if I don't get to eat it myself!

Bump I can confirm that even intending to have a homebirth leads to cake making ; my personal choice was Nigella's damp lemon loaf. I found standing and walking around very helpful with those pesky early contractions. Plus we got to eat it when post birth munchies hit; result!

Homebirth definately isn't just for the knit your own lentil nappies brigade; have a look at the reduced incidence of instrumental births for homebirthers who transfer into hospital. I'm the only person I know who was offered 6 hour discharge after birth, and I'm sure this was because they wanted me to have a good hospital experience, I didn't even see the ward, went straight from delivery suite to discharge. The only significant disadvantage we could see for homebirth was options for hardcore pain relief, but TBH we're 10 mins from the hospital so it wasn't really an issue.

Baby massage is fab, sends them off into raptures and a brilliant excuse for admiring their little feet. Good photo opportunity too if you get little cousins to help...

Hi all,

Sorry I couldn't make last night or this morning, but good to see a couple of you at our unofficial antenatal water workout on Tuesday - more of the same next week? Good to meet Clare, too!

SE8mum - thanks for the info on active birth classes. I was looking into them, but I think I might be better off with the book - DH is definitely not of the hippy tendency, and I can imagine his reaction already! I think he's worried already that homebirth is a bit bohemian. The only thing that swayed him was reading in one of my books that in a homebirth, you can distract yourself in early labour by baking a cake. He honestly thinks homebirth=freshly baked cake now and is totally up for it...

ToastnHoney - the lady who usually does the Arches pre-natal yoga classes, Bernadette, also does baby massage instruction courses. Her website is here: www.peacefulpractice.co.uk/
but if you want to speak to her yourself, you could always turn up at the end of the antenatal yoga class tomorrow morning (12-1) as she has 30 minutes or so before the next class, and always has a bundle of leaflets as well.

Talking of Bernadette, I have just phoned the Arches, and all the yoga-ites will be very pleased to hear that Bernadette is scheduled to take tomorrow's class, and there's no current suggestion of her not being able to make it this week. Hurrah! Am looking forward to NOT being told to lie on my back for 10 minutes to relax!! Or having to listen to all that crap about different coloured vegetables, when all I want is lunch...

Hi all

I just wanted to say it was lovely to meet you all last night and thank you for making me feel so welcome. I feel so much better about everything knowing there are other 'Mums to be' in the area.

Feb80 - thanks again for telling me about this thread - see you at yoga tomorrow

Tupperwife - thank you too for all the advice, Samuel is so cute, I couldn't stop talking about him when I got home!

See you all again soon.

Clare x

Samuel is gorgeous, by the way, but you knew that already! Lovely to see you looking so relaxed and seeming like a duck to water (even if it is a front!)

Fab to see you all yesterday - excuse my slightly manic and distracted state. I blame the hormones...

Tupperwife - I've emailed you. DH and I had a really good chat last night about the HB option, and he's made me feel a lot more confident about going for it. Email me back and I will come and take the pool off your hands.

xx to all.

daisyj - I certainly will! Hopefully it won't be too long

I used to live 3 doors along from the Union and practically spent an entire summer in the beer garden (pre-DS days obviously!) - have fun tonight!

Thanks, feb80 - DH has volunteered for lift duty, too, but if yours is out and about then I'd love to take up the offer. I said I'd call him later to confirm, anyway, so we can always get them both out if there are others wanting lifts.

Really looking forward to seeing you all later.

Hi Norky - love the name! I'm sure I've 'seen' you around before - I'm guessing this group will be around for some time, so join us when you're ready!

x

hi!
just stopped in at the union and reserved the 1st table inside tbe door - the biggest! so we have as much seating as poss.
rosa x

Yes, looking forward to catching up with everyone tonight and meeting little Tupperbaby! See you at The Union, I will be there by 7pm. Blackheathers are welcome to a lift home....

xx

Looking forward to seeing everyone tnight for a progress report and a good catch up - and especially looking forward to meeting Samuel!

...ooh I like the list already, Rosa.

I quite fancy trying baby massage, anyone heard of any local courses?

For the losing of baby-related muffin tops, there's this at 10.15am on Tues and Thurs in Greenwich Park.

And I've also heard these baby swimming courses are good.

hi all,

tupperwife the union is great - i actually prefer it too!

you are so welcome on wed morning - meet up is for everyone!!

clarerose re: swimming tomorrow, we'll be in the "leisure lane" of course, and have bumps of varying sizes, so it'll be easy to spot each other and introduce ourselves. looking forward to meeting you!

OK! Here is the very small beginnings of a local events calendar - it is definitely in need of everyone's contributions!!

Over to you guys....

Greenwich / Blackheath Calendar of Events for Mums & Bubs!

Monday

11.15am Mummy and baby yoga, Brandram Rd Community Centre
http://www.practiceyoga.co.uk/classes.html

2.30pm Boppin bunnies musical group, St Mark's Community Centre, Greenwich South St
http://www.boppinbunnies.co.uk

Tuesday

10.30am Postnatal yoga for mums and bubs, Deptford Albany
http://www.peacefulpractice.co.uk/mum-and-baby.htm#no3

2pm Baby rhyme time, Blackheath Library

Wednesday

11.30amThe Big Scream, Greenwich Picturehouse

1pm Mums & Bubs lunch, Cafe Rouge Greenwich -NEED MORE INFO!!

Thursday

2pm Baby rhyme time, Blackheath Library

Friday

9:30am Boppin bunnies musical group, St Mark's Community Centre, Greenwich South St
http://www.boppinbunnies.co.uk

11.30am The Big Scream, Greenwich Picturehouse

1.50pm Boppin bunnies musical group, St Mark's Community Centre, Greenwich South St
http://www.boppinbunnies.co.uk

Saturday

Sunday

Can I register myself as an envious Greenwich resident who wishes she could join in an ante-natal thread! How sad I know

Will be walking past Buenos Aires at 11.30 on weds as I have a reflexology appt on Royal Hill so I'll peer in!

I actually read the book 'The New Active Birth' - sounds like the book is quite a bit less 'hippy' and probably provides the same info. So, if reading works for you, you might want to give it a read. There are some good yoga-based exercises in it, which help prepare for the birth.
Has anyone tried hypnobirthing?

Took the Active Birth Class...useful to learn different positions and graphic details of what happens in birth (if you are brave enough) but incredibly "hippy" and all about "mother earth" and simulating women in primitive tribes squatting and dropping babies!
It can work for some people...blokes were all a bit embarassed...but had to give lots of back massages to partners, which was lovely!

Sorry for hijack. ToastnHoney, message for you here.

Hello all! V jealous that I can't join in any of the activities this week. Only 5 more days in the office though... and then I'll be there!!! (can you tell I'm counting down the days?) - Rosa, keep up the good work with all these schedules won't you!

I went along to the NCT home birth info session at Kings last month. It was reasonably helpful and on balance I was glad I went, though I have to say I've learnt more from reading www.homebirth.org.uk and lurking on the associated yahoo email list. It was mainly interesting to be able to compare notes about the kinds of reactions people have had from their midwives locally when trying to book a home birth. I was gutted to find that nearly everyone there was booked into Kings and they all seemed to be having a much easier time trying to set up a homebirth than I am - sounded like there are a couple of teams of midwives there that really specialise in it . Nearly all the session was Q&A, they split the men into one group and the women into another and we got to ask questions of the NCT teacher, and the mum and dad who came in with their baby. One piece of advice if you do go - the room was really really hot and I only had a tiny bottle of water - take a big bottle and a snack if you're going straight from work.

I started nesting about week 17! threw out loads of old junk and told everyone i only wanted food products for Christmas so i didn't get cluttered up again!

Hello,
Union sounds fine to me! I get confused between the different pubs down there - but I think the union's my favourite anyway . You realise, Tupperwife, that you are our pioneer mum, finding out all this stuff - like where happens to be baby friendly!

Can't keep up with all the other news! But glad to see everyone enjoying their maternity leave . Must try that Aqua natal thingy at some point - going on leave myself in 3 weeks and might give it a go then.

I think I got dropped of the "birth-day" list somewhere:
Clare7rose/march 16/Queen Elizabeth
Rosa7/march 23/Kings
Daisyj/March 29/Lewisham (or home)
ToastnHoney/April 4/Home (or Lewisham)
Elk4baby/april 11/Portland
ellie732/april 22/ Home (or Lewisham)
Se8mum/april 23/Lewisham
Heverhoney1/May 2nd/ Queen Elizabeth
Helpivegottogivebirth/june 6th/Queen Elizabeth
feb80/june 30/Lewisham
BumpMakesTwoAndABit/July 13/home, I hope
jas28/july 17/Lewisham
cazinski/august 13/Queen Elizabeth
amytotty/july 8/Queen Elizabeth

NB: any one else developed out of character nesting behaviour? Shocked my other half today with a bizarre urge to spend my free time sorting out the airing cupboard. Usually I'm the untidiest person I know...

Aaaagh. Richard 1st has a no children policy after 5.30pm, they've offered me to sit out front on the street . It's FEBRUARY and he's still a newborn, I spend enough time calming his screams already thanks very much.

The pub next door on the other hand (the Union) allows children till 8.30 so can I beg that we go there instead? They also do a great burger (I had it for lunch today, just under a tenner).

Sorry to be the difficult 'perfect first baby' Mum. I may try to gatecrash the Buenos Aires meet as well.

I phoned Xenia and spoke to her about the home birth session - it really is free and open to anyone (irrespective of being an NCT member or doing a course with them) interested in having a home birth.

Apparently they bring along a couple of couples who have had a home birth and there is a big questions and answers session. Sounds quite useful, i think...

Details again are:

King's College Hospital, Sylvia Henley seminar room, 4th floor, Jubilee Wing, Denmark Hill SE5 9RS. Sessions are 7-9pm, 13 March, 27 April, 18 May, 18 June.

For more information call Xenia 020 8670 0832 or email maria@pinterandmartin.com

I bought my swimming costume from Blooming Marvellous - 30 quid which i thought at the time was astronomical. Still do, but needed the cosi for a holiday.

Hi girls, sorry haven't been on here for a few days.

Rosa7 - yes would love to meet up during the day, I see you've planned a swim on Tuesday morning and I'd love to join you, I was planning on going to the acqua class until it was cancelled. Can you let me know where to meet you.. as I've not met any of you before

I got a maternity swimsuit from the Mothercare website, it's a horrid looking thing that looked huge when it arrived but sadly it fitted...!!!

I am also planning on joining you all on Tues eve.

Hope you all have a lovely weekends.

x

hi all!

bumpmakestwoandabit we were next to each other in the aqua class and had a good chat afterwards too! nice to see you on mumsnet!

lucasnorth i got a great, brand new speedo maternity swimming costume on ebay for £6 or something. love ebay for mat gear and bub gear too.

tupperwife thanks for that activities listing - sounds good. I have phone numbers for local NCT ladies in greenwich/blackheath so I'll be calling them next week and adding in whatever they tell me of social get togethers for mums and bubs into this list! oh heck i may as well get started now, so we can all add to it - i'll post something later today...!

re: next week's activites! there's a bit going on for all who wish to join!

*Tuesday 24th*
Who fancies a swim? A few of us are meeting at ARCHES fitness pool at 10am for some lesiurely exercise, in lieu of aqua class.

Evening: Richard 1st - 630 onwards for our usual meet and greet!

*Wednesday 25th*:
Coffee/ whatever at Buenos Aires cafe, Greenwich, 86 Royal Parade at 11am - all bumps and babies welcome!!

Looking forward to seeing you all!

rosa

hey lucasnorh, I'll see if my doc can help the GP registration .
I bought my swimsuit from budgetbumps. co. uk - they have a pretty good range at reasonable prices (the latter was the goal for me). They also have a number of other maternity things for sale, so have a look around. Another shop that was useful (can you tell I do most of my shopping online?! ) - affordablematernity. co. uk.

I might have missed something... but could someone please confirm for everyone the time and place we'd agreed to meet on Tues, 24th?

Thanks!

daisyj Birth pool now not going on ebay till we've discussed, I'd much rather it went to a bump I know! TBH I just want the bloomin thing out of the way.

Tupperbaby weighed nearly 9lb at clinic earlier this week, so may well be walking, talking and drinking pints by Tuesday!

I wore a Zoggs bikini from Bravissimo until 39 weeks but as you know my bump was entirely baby so looked pretty small. I was more worried about controlling my G cup boobs than bearing my stretchmarks in public.

See you all on Tuesday!

Hi all

Gosh, you've all been chatty I haven't had a minute to get on here for ages, and it looks like I've missed loads...

Rosa - excellent idea on the calendar! Glad you're enjoying your well-deserved maternity leave.

Tupperwife - I would LOVE that birthing pool if no one else has snapped it up first. And the raspberry leaf tea, please - been meaning to buy some this week. Let's discuss on Tuesday - really can't wait to meet Tupperbaby!

Looking forward to seeing you all.

<<waves to Sofie - hope to see you there on Tuesday - prepare to be deluged with questions >>

Apparently there's a leak in the pool, or something, so I guess it's rather important they fix it!

Help... - good luck, and I'd be interested to know (just too lazy to phone myself - it doesn't say you need to book, I literally copied out all the info word for word, so I'm planning on just turning up).

Hi lucasnorth. This is my first time... like you, I live in Greenwich and am due in July. I just bought a regular swimming costume a size larger. It's still a bit big, but the other one was a little tight. I have ordered and received a tankini from JoJoMamanBebe, which looks great, but it's still huuuuuuuuuuuge for me. Looking forward to growing into it! Mothercare do quite a big range too; I just happened to be ordering other stuff from JoJo. I went for the tankini as I figured I'd be needing the loo a lot more towards the end; Next had swimming costumes and bikinis, but I didn't see any tankinis I liked.

Hello ladies, I'm due in July and live in Greenwich. Am I right in thinking you're all first-time Mums? I already have a 2 year old daughter.

Really annoying about the pool closure. Could I just ask all you swimmers - where did you manage to find a decent maternity swimming costume? I'm still squeezing into my bikini but (second time round!) am already too big for it at 20 weeks.

Hello elk4baby
Under the NHS system you register with a GP, see them if you need anything, and if there's anything specialist they can't deal with then they will refer you to a paediatrician. You register the baby with the GP of your choice after birth.

If you were giving