Jan 16 #9 halfway point - time to watch our bumps grow 

[moonshine25]

New thread - wouldn't let me write on the last one

Thanks, Bee - certainly food for thought. MIL has made a couple of annoying comments - my husband told her last night that we might not be coming up at xmas because it's only 3 weeks off the due date and she pointed out that could be 5 weeks off the due date. Yes, that might be so, but the point is that we just dont know. Plus, she doesn't seem to understand that it's not just about the fear of baby coming early, I may not feel comfortable/safe to travel up in a car. Fear not, I will do what i feel comfortable with and won't let the MIL influence my decision.

I bought a JOOLZ buggy yesterday at a babyshow - £300 off a display one. We had to wheel it accross London, but it was a good test drive. We are happy with it. Maybe a bit too early still to be buying a pram, but it will be Christmas soon enough and is one less thing to worry about. Both my mum and MIL commented on the expense (£475 for pramseat and carrycot), with MIL pointing out that SIL spent considerably less, but I dont actually think that is too extravagent! Prams are blimmin expensive and if going to be walking a lot like we will be, you need to make sure that it's got a good suspension and drive - right? If we didnt walk anywhere (which no offence intended, but my SIL doesnt as she mainly drives) i wouldn't have minded a cheap pram as it doesn't matter so much.

Final complaint in this post and one i'm slightly concerned about (as well as feeling slight more pi ssed at) is that when i went to my MW appointment last Friday, the MW told me that she has no idea what is going on with the antenatal and breast feeding classes (as there has been a shake up) and it's unlikely that they will now be offering any antenatal classesm, and there is only 'maybe' chance that the breastfeeding classes might go ahead?! Lily - you are giving birth at Kings - have you been given the same advice? Any ladies giving birth elsewhere in the country - are you getting antenatal classes on the NHS? I know the NHS is stretched but this is my first baby and thought would have support of the classes. As it stands at the moment, we will have to falk out for private antenatal classes.

On the upside, most of us are now in the third trimester :-)

28 +5

Sorry I didn't see this earlier, elvi, been ill this week and not checking mumsnet much!

So, my midwife on Monday didn't know anything about antenatal / breastfeeding classes and just shrugged, laughed and said they take ages getting around to organising them. jmac, also at King's, saw her mw on Tues and was told they were struggling to find a venue for the classes. So your report is a third completely different one and having read it am just as concerned as you! It's my first too and I was really hoping for the NHS classes as definitely can't afford to go private (and NCT will all be booked up now). If that's true, it's rubbish - I completely sympathise with things being stretched but if they don't go ahead with the classes and haven't even told us this, potentially until the last minute or at all they're leaving us a bit high and dry! I was really hoping to get my DH along to at least one of them as well, so he knows a bit more about what to expect and how to support me.

Oh well, Doctor YouTube may have to come to the rescue!

On the prams front, I got my much-wanted Bugaboo Bee last week, buggy plus hood, newborn cocoon and raincover for £250 from various different eBay sellers so I'm chuffed! I think what you paid new (or off-display) is pretty reasonable - my sister bought a 'cheap' pram for £300 and it fell apart quite quickly. And you're right, in London you need to walk a lot so need a decent one.

Hope you and anyone else left on here are well! I've been ill this week and I think the third trimester has hit with a vengeance at the same time with aches, pains, nausea and exhaustion so I'm being rewarded handsomely for my second trimester smugness

Sorry you have been so poorly lily -I hope it passes soon.

That is a pretty poor reaction from you mw. We don't find the situation funny at all - it's bloody daunting not knowing if going to get sufficient support, and like you, thought would be something that DH would benefit from too. I do have an update: I rang the midwife helpline and was told that they haven't cancelled antenatal classes for good, but that there was a shortage of staff and so they had to postpone classes for a time (although given that we and jmac have been given different stories, I don't know if this is true!). Anyway, she gave me a direct number for the person organising the classes and I spoke to her and she said that she was in the process of sending out appointments to people, and I should expect to receive a letter in a week or two. I still don't feel very reassured at all....she sounded quite harassed so I didn't check that she had my details,but I said I would call back in 2 weeks if I don't hear anything. I also got the direct number for the lady organising the breast feeding class(es), but it's on my desk at work - if I find it I will post it to you.

I think it is too late for NCT classes now - I have checked surrounding areas to west norwood and seems that we have missed the boat. Classes started in crystal palace this Wednesday just gone, but I now go to pregnancy yoga now. If they had been honest about the situations, we would have at least had a choice as to whether to sit tight or sign up some time ago. And it's bloody expensive - I hope there will be some free groups when baby comes as money will be far tighter!

Wow, impressed that you managed to actually speak to someone. Sounds like we'll hear soon if the classes are going ahead then!

I'm going to look into yoga as was thinking about that anyway, but if the classes don't happen I'll have to rely on the internet, books and family/friends for all the necessary info which isn't the end of the world - but having been expecting the classes all this time it would be disappointing not to get them, if that makes sense.

I think that's it - we have been expecting to have classes all this time... My friend pointed out that all info is online anyway now, but when you have been expecting a couple of hours face to face tuition which both you and your partners can attend and meet other people, it really isn't the same.

It took me a while to find a yoga class too - was planning on going to Brockwell park lido since the 22 weeks scan as classes only £10, but when I looked about 8 weeks ago it seemed that they had temporarily cancelled (ha not having much luck in our area are we!), but maybe worth looking again - I go to a lady in Streatham but she is very expensive! Far more than wanted to pay but figured not like spending money in pubs now! Let me know if want her details. I know that there is a yoga place in WN (Shula or something?) , again v expensive and website seemed overly professional which scared me somewhat ha! Finally, I think I saw classes in Brixton which were reasonable - maybe around the £10-12 mark ( which seems cheap now!) but I don't think the times worked for me. Good luck.

And forgot to say - you are a bargain queen getting bugaboo for that price - good work!

Thanks, if I don't have any joy with yoga classes I'll get that number off you! There are classes in Crystal Palace but haven't enquired into them so don't know if they have any space, and they're also on a weekday morning which isn't ideal. Thanks!

Elvi - I've booked some yoga classes in Beckenham, they're £10 per hour but you get them slightly cheaper if you book in a block. I've booked six lessons starting at the beginning of December and it's £56 in total:
radiantyoga.co.uk/

In case that's of interest for you!

Thanks for the link lily - I have another 5 weeks of my yoga classes which will take me to 35 weeks, but if feel good enough to continue, or what to pick up another class think may look into your group as quite a bit cheaper!

How you doing? I'm beginning to feel like a whale and not quite 7 months yet!

I'll let you know how it is Elvi - due to the Christmas break the 6 weeks will take me up to 2 days before my due date so hopefully bean doesn't arrive too early or I'll lose money! priorities

I'm okay, super busy which I'm now finding very tiring but just cracking on. Can't sleep tonight as bean seems to be doing gymnastics and keeps kicking me really uncomfortably in the side! Hope you're okay apart from feeling big...

Glad things going ok other than being busy. I have trouble sleeping every night too, but for different reasons, one of them being back ache and the other being restless legs!! Argh, so annoying. Fortunately baby sleeps during the night!

Hi

Is this thread for women due in January?

Hi Newts - it is but I think all the ladies have moved over to a Facebook page (except for me) so the thread is now very very quiet. Not sure if there are any other ladies out there keeping an eye of this thread in the hope it might come alive again?!

Hi ladies! How are you both? Most of have moved over to fb but I'm going to do both now I've finished work! How are you both feeling? Xx

Hi Moonshine Elvi and Newta

I'm still on here too. I wish I had finished work already, but now its December I have started my countdown - 23 days! WHOOP!

Can't come quickly enough for me. I have MAJOR PGP pain now. Walking is fecking torture. Physio basically said its because I have no core muscles after DS1. :(

How are you all doing?

x

Hi Boosiehs! So sorry to hear about your PGP, how awful! Is your work aggravating it? I've finished work already so feel a bit guilty but so happy to be resting. When are you due? Xx

Commuting is really aggravating it. Having to spend a fortune on taxis. :(

I really wish I had finished already but I'm not due until the 20th jan. Can't really justify earlier finish!

Hi ladies - glad that a couple of you are still around. Have been hoping the forum might reignite again now we can officially say we are due next month - whoo! I notice that seemed to happen to the December forum. Has fb reported any prem jan babies arriving?

Ar boosiehs, that sounds rough! Can you get signed off work sick any earlier by your doctor? If spending money on taxis that is strong indicator to your employer that your pain is pretty bad!

IF i hope to take a few days leave and finish on the 19th - mat leave starts on 4th jan, but we are closed from 23rd so was going to work up until then but my ribs and back is killing me come 11am sitting at my desk! I work one day a week at home now which is nice, but just means I'm in pain 4 days a week rather than 5 but I think I can make another 2 weeks.

Hello ladies! I'm still hovering here as well, feel bad about the mass migration to FB...

I'm with you on the wishing I'd already finished front! I'm due 22nd January and working up to the 15th January so still a few weeks left, although at least there's the Christmas hols in between to sweeten the deal somewhat

boosiehs I'd agree with elvi, can you get signed off? Or work from home? I'm lucky that I have an easy, if fairly long, commute but even that (and especially when I can't be bothered with the bus and opt for the tube) is getting to me, and I only have mild PGP.

Did my first antenatal yoga session yesterday and happy to report it really helped with my pain! elvi, how are yours going in Streatham?

Oh and elvi any news on the parent classes from King's? I still haven't had anything through. Midwife last week said they're 'definitely happening' (although given that I was sent to the wrong place for my appointment I don't have a lot of faith in the midwives at the moment...).

Sorry lily, I didn't update you on the antenatal classes.... so I rang up a few weeks back and got on a class that same week - just finished our 4th session so I suggest ringing them and explain that you are 32.5 weeks? There are 5 sessions, so it's not too late, but don't hang around for them to send you an appointment, and don't take no for answer - she started to fob me off and say that they were still booking December people in at the time, but she ended up offering me a slot over the phone and sending me a text with the details. In my class it is mainly folk due early/mid jan.

Also just finished my 8th week of yoga and what I have found most helpful isn't actually the yoga but the 'tea time' discussion (she brings us fruit tea and apples after -ha) and she has provided some very useful and calming advice which has made me feel positive about going into labour rather than scared. I hope you get a lot out of your classes too!

Oh glad to hear you got onto some classes elvi! I'll give them a call tomorrow and fingers crossed they'll have some space left... I have 5 yoga classes left (could only afford 6) and due to the Christmas break they're going to take me right up to my due date so I'm hoping for some good labour positions and advice

Oh and you also asked about any early babies. Well... yes! Two have been born so far at 29 and 33 weeks, another is booked in for a c section hopefully tomorrow at 34 weeks and a fourth is being induced next week at 36 weeks. Dates also being booked now for elcs later this month and in early Jan. Starting to feel very real!!

Lilyb84 I take it as you mean kings college hospital London (reading pervious posts) if so I know that lewisham hospital are starting their antinatal classes on Wednesday

Hello, are we using this thread now?

I was just posting to the antenatal classes post lol

Thanks for the info newts. I'm trying to call King's this morning with no luck so far...! I think tbh even on the off-chance there's any space left for me it's unlikely I'll be able to get the time off work anyway, and evenings are pretty busy too. That'll teach me to be more proactive!

2manysweets I think we're just continuing some ongoing conversations on here but perhaps it's time to let this thread die and use the other one? Or start a whole new one with a stats sheet etc?