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Connect with mums-to-be with similar due dates to share experiences and support.

Original poster

Antenatal classes near Streatham

428 replies

sara75 · 06/09/2007 13:02

Hi everyone, I am desperately trying to find some antenatal classes around Streatham; I am due in January and would like to get some classes with my partner. Had a look at the NCT ones but they look very pricy....
and the ones run by Bump2Bubba are a bit far for us(although not impossible so still considering them).
And if you also know of any actvities for mums to be in the area I would really appreciate the information !!!!
Thankssssssssssssssss

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KT1983 · 19/08/2008 08:00

yeah, definatly in for next Tuesday!

Question....To anyone.....Im only 15weeks - just wondered when people started to get a baby bump?
Not that im complaining, I guess the longer things arent stretched the better! :-)

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 19/08/2008 10:21

i felt like I had a bump at about 13 weeks but to be honest it was only if you knew I was pregnant you'd see it! prob by about 15/16 weeks it was more noticeable...that's when people started asking anyway (rather than assuming I'd just eaten too much!)

KT1983 · 19/08/2008 10:49

haha - I am an Aerobics Instructor & ive not told my classes that im pregnant, so im waiting for the day they ask if Ive eaten too many chocolate chip cookies or if im pregnant...
Think my belly definatly feels a little rounder....I keep thinking that one morning il wake up & it will have just popped over night!

dannigirl · 19/08/2008 11:28

Hey ladies,

Good numbers for the meet up!

KT1983 - I was so ready for my bump, I kept urging it along. I think I really popped out at between 18 and 20 weeks. Now it gets in they way - not that I am complaining but it has come as a bit of a shock (surprising after 30 weeks of preparation!!!!)

dannigirl · 19/08/2008 11:30

Forgot to say welcome sofarsobreech!!. See you on 26th.

sofarsobreech · 19/08/2008 11:43

Thanks Dannigirl....looking forward to meeting you all. Think I'm probably about the same.... 34 weeks this week.....felt like my bump took a while to make a noticeable appearance but now there's no stopping it! Feel really big now and have definitely slowed down my fast stomp up to Streaham Hill station every morning.

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 19/08/2008 11:55

i wonder how many of us pass each other streatham high road every morning!! i know how you feel sofarsobreech...am 31 weeks today and feel like my bump has grown over night and I can feel the heaviness much mroe now!

Boobz · 19/08/2008 12:56

Still shuffling behind you all with only a 9 week no-bump...

Did any of you have problems with maternity leave with employer? I am worried I am about to get shafted, right royally...

KT1983 · 19/08/2008 13:14

I have only just told my employer about my pregnancy, and they have been fine about it - Entitled to all the normal stuff....think about £117.00 per week and 52 weeks off.
I asked my human Resourses department before I told my managers. you will be fine, they leagally have to give you the maternity pay/leave.

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 19/08/2008 14:24

you should be able to check your company policy before bringing it up with them - were you given a handbook with your contract? most companies have to be very upfront when employees start nowadays....and KT is right, they can't sack you and have to give you SMP at least

notcitrus · 19/08/2008 16:24

I was really lucky with mat leave - I'd just accepted a new post in my organisation when I found out I was pregnant, but it was only until end Sept at the most, and as most people on the team were on temporary promotion and thus wanting to stay as long as possible, they were really glad I'd want to leave a bit earlier! They weren't quite so enthusiastic when my physio banned me from commuting, but I did some work from home and some others took over the rest of my job, and it was OK.

I was advised to photocopy my MATB1 before sending it to HR, and just as well, as they lost my paperwork twice. But I now have my formal letter saying they look forward to seeing me again on 29 Aug 2009!

I was too podgy for most of my clothes around 17 weeks - since then I've mainly been wearing long stretchy jersey skirts and long loose dresses. By about 20 weeks I had to choose my clothes to either look very fat or very pregnant, so went for the latter, usually a stretchy T-shirt and skirt.

The circumference of my bump seems to have been the same for the last 6 weeks, but there's ever more bump hidden under the waterline! I used to be able to rest my bump on the edge of the sink and I can't now!

Boobz · 19/08/2008 16:51

Unfortunately I am not a straight forward case for maternity leave.

I work from home in the UK, but my company is Irish and based in Dublin. Do I therefore fall under Irish or UK maternity laws?

Also, my contract does not mention maternity leave benefits anywhere. I called up a friend at work who told me what the Employee hand book said (which was 22 weeks paid leave) but it referred to Ireland, so I'm not sure if I am covered by the same policy in that hand book?

To cap it all off, they want to take me off my employee contract, and put me onto a consultant contract (they announced this yesterday). Obviously as a consultant I am not entitled to any of the normal benefits and I would charge more as a result. But I now have to tread carefully as I need to know whether I am still entitled to SMP and / or the 22 weeks paid leave if I set myself up as a limited company and charge out as a consultant.

Am off to see the Citizen's advice bureau tomorrow to get a better idea, and will probably get some legal advice (which i will have to pay for!) as well.

Joy.

Boobz · 19/08/2008 16:54

Right - was it anyone here who was booked in with St George's but then transferred to Thommies because they wanted a homebirth?

That is what I am now having to do, begrudgingly, as Thommies is so much further away! They say it's due to catchment areas and Streatham isn't covered by the HB team at St George's... does this sound right to you?

MissLa · 19/08/2008 21:06

Hello!

I'm new to the site, about 12.5 weeks pregnant with my first babs. I'm a local Tooting girl and I see you're all meeting up in Streatham on the 26th? Any chance I can crash your party?!! It would be cool to meet other local ladies in my situation and make some new mates!!!

Miss La x

Boobz · 19/08/2008 21:44

Of course Miss La -- we are growing into quite the little party... I might need to get there early and bag a whole section of the restaurant!

x

KT1983 · 20/08/2008 08:30

Hi MissLa - Where abouts in tooting are you - I live just near tooting bec common ( Furzedown area)

Im looking forward to meeting everyone next tuesday - there will be lots of us! :-)

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 20/08/2008 12:10

Miss La we would be happy to have you!! anyone think we ought to reserve that table with the comfy benches round it? am happy to do so....

Boobz it was me who transferred from St G's to tommies to get HB (though have since heard St G's offer it too)...to be honest my initial reason for transferring was my friend had a wonderful and supportive birth at Tommies and two weeks later another friend ha a horrendous birth at St G's - but I know that's the luck of the draw. I also went to Tommies because our local community midwives come from there and it felt important at the time...you'll be asigned to Valley or Streatham midwives at Gracefield Gardens so only have to go to Tommies to get your scans and anti-d injections if you need them throughout antenatal care, so no trekking to either hospital, which is nice!

feel free to ask me anything else if it helps
xx

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 20/08/2008 12:14

have re-read your post Boobz - and yes that does sound right to me...but honestly the Streatham midwives are fantastic and I've been very reassured by them regarding blue light services to Tommies from Streatham if there ended up being an emergency situatioon during the height of rush hour....

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 20/08/2008 12:14

(btw it's because we're in Lambeth, and so is Tommies, whereas I think St G's falls under Wandsworth)

MissLa · 20/08/2008 12:15

Hey KT1983,

I'm a Tooting Broadway girl, just off Franciscan Road, it'll be great to meet other local preggers ladies!
Might also bring my mate who's also 12.5 weeks and lives in Streatham too, I'm sure we can all squeeze in some how!

What time is everyone meeting? I can't get to Streatham till about 6.15, hope thats not too late?!

xx

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 20/08/2008 12:41

starting to meet from 5:30 so don't worry, we'll be there

sofarsobreech · 20/08/2008 12:54

Welcome MissLa, looking forward to Tuesday too. Should get there just after 6pm. Sure all the bumps will help to get seats!
Can't help with the queries over hospitals as I'm giving birth at the Chelsea and Westminster.....long story but basically thought we would be out of London now and I chose it for easier antenatal appointments as it's near my work. Still in Streatham (house sale still going through!) so wondering if I should transfer care to St Georges or just go with C&W and hope that the traffic on the day isn't bad! Problem had been that I haven't met any local Streatham midwives yet and haven't been able to do any of the local antenatal classes....bad planning or what!

MissLa · 20/08/2008 14:19

Fab, can't wait, I'll be along about 6.15pm, can't wait to meet you all!

Has anyone thought about pregancy yoga at 'Anoushkas Yoga' in Earlsfield? It's £105 for a 10 week course, I'm thinking of signing up from end of September after I'm back from holiday (babs not due till March 09).

x

KT1983 · 20/08/2008 14:27

Hi MissLa - I was thinking of doing a yoga class...been looking around to find a decent one. Ten weeks for £105 sounds quite reasonable.

My baby is not due until Feb - So september would be a good time for me to start also...
Is there a website?

Its going to be quite amusing on Tuesday - pregnant ladies convention! :-)

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 20/08/2008 15:07

sitaram yoga are quite good but have recently closed their streatham branch so you'd have to go to tommies or brockwell lido - I'm starting with an independant yoga teacher in sept who comes highly recommended