Anyone know of antenatal classes or meet ups in central London?

[Miarey]

I live in W1 and I can't find any antenatal classes. Does anyone know of any?
TIA

[Boyswillbeboys]

Have you asked your GP? They should put you in touch with the health visitor who would know. I'm in Pimlico and we had them at the Bessborough Clinic (SW1), also attended health visitor and baby massage classes in W1 - can't remember the name of the clinic but it was near Marylebone High Street. Also, contact your local NCT, they organise antenatal classes but you normally do have to pay (but they are at more convenient times, like evenings). Hope this helps

[brokenrecord]

Your hospital (St Mary's?) will do some, and I had NCT ones years ago. Unfortunately they sent me to west London ones, and all the other women lived in Chiswick, etc. I met a woman later who had done some with people from St John's Wood, which would have been better for me. HTH

[brokenrecord]

Sorry - meant to say she had done NCT ones in St John's wood.

[MarchNowFebMum]

I had same problem last winter - I am also W1. I was placed in a group that includes folks from Pimlico, Knightsbridge and Fulham - they are far but I love them!

Keep meaning to try and find W1 mums group/meet up/playgroup but may just have to create one!

[MinimalistMama]

I couldn't find any either when I needed them (nearest was Shepherds Bush, Chelsea or St Johns Wood), so ended up doing class at The Portland Hospital.

[Aselle]

Hi there,

There is a new Prepare for birth workshop running in W1W 7PP. I went on it and it was packed with brilliant information, both hands-on for the dads but also about birth choices and the birth process. Their website is www.prepare4birth.co.uk

[brokenrecord]

Hi FebMum,

There are lots of W1 mums around. For example, St Mary's church does a playgroup on Thursday and Friday. (Think there is a bit of a waiting list.)

[Aselle]

Hi all,

Just an update. The prepare4birth workshop was really good. There was so much information and it was great to go through each stage of labour and get suggestions on how my husband could help me during each stage. Can't recommend it enough.

[Miarey]

Hi - sorry bit of a gap between messages. Feb Mum are you still in W1? Broken record - is the playgroup still going?

TIA

[brokenrecord]

Just found this as I try to navigate around the new MN.

Yes the playgroup is still going - I popped in there the other day to see a friend. I don't know how to contact them except by visiting though. It's from 10 till 11.30 most Thursdays and Fridays. (Not half term or holidays.)

I am about to post in a local antenatal group as I am a children's photographer currently offering a few free sessions to newborns to expand my portfolio. I am looking for very young babies - ideally less than 10 days old for that curled up sleepy newborn look. I'm not sure whether everyone here has had their babies already, but anyone interested can CAT me for more info.

[flyingby]

hi - anyone ever find a group or start a group in w1? thanks

[Tonicity]

There is a very friendly NCT Westminster group for new mums and mums to be, who meet on Tuesday mornings (10.30am-12.30pm) at Tonicity (a Women's Health centre).

The address is 1 Great Cumberland Place, London, W1H 7AL. See www.tonicity.eu for more location details.

They also have a facebook page (do a quick search for NCT Westminster!)

[theposhbird]

Hi

Have you tried your local Children's Centre for groups? There is one in Soho.

Here is the link:
www.westminster.gov.uk/services/educationandlearning/childrensinformationservice/child renscentre/westend/

Hope that's helpful!

[wellynz]

If you're looking to meet other mums have a look at our events/activities in nct Westminster. We're quite a new branch and are getting lots of new things up and running in the area. There is a new bumps & babies group starting in Bayswater in August. We meet up a few times a week in Pimlico - lots of lovely mums here. Lots of stuff in planning stages too.

Join our facebook group or check www.nct.org.uk/westminster for more details and to keep up to date with the latest news.

or email [email protected]

hope that helps someone.

[CC23]

Hi,
I am in W1 too and am struggling to find local activities to go to with my 3month old boy. Would really appreciate any advice/help. Thank you.

[yumcha888]

Hi CC23,

There's loads to do in central London!

Top ones for me are:

• listening to chamber music at Wigmore Hall (can't remember the name of the series but restarts in September, tix are really cheap but you have to book)
  
• check out the Culture Baby website for walks and tours in parks and galleries
  
• Baby cinema at the Electric Cinema and the Gate Cinema in Notting Hill (also Clapham, Greenwich etc)
  
• Play groups (I go to one that has just closed for the summer but there are loads around - if you are near Paddington, try Micky Star?)
  
• Exercise classes (I've tried yoga in Primrose Hill and I know there is a mums' exercise class at The Hub in Regents Park but am too lazy to go)
  
• Swimming classes
  
• NCT coffee mornings (to meet more mums and get more ideas!). I go to one on Baker Street on Friday mornings - drop me a line with your email address and I'll forward you the email.
  
  Have fun!