Antenatal classes near Streatham

[sara75]

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

Thanks so much Dannigirl, that's really helpful. Will go and have a look and see what I can find out. I'm not with any midwives in Streatham yet as I've had shared care from local GP (Valley Road surgery) and midwives at Chelsea and Westminster. Think I can ask my GP for a referral but again need to look into it more. Someone also told me this morning that you can turn up anywhere and they wouldn't turn you away if you're in labour!!!!!

you can def change whenever you want but the sooner the better - at least go to your GP and ask them to transfer you asap because it may take a week or so for letters to get through the system. My GP just sent a transferral letter direct to Tommies, they then passed details onto Streatham/Valley midwives - you're in the catchment area so it shouldn't be a problem. The midwives got in touch wiht me immediately, it took a while longer to hear anything from tommies but that's cos i was waiting for a scan date

hth (will add you to email list!)
xx

GWTMH am trying to get hold of someone at Tommies to see whether my GP has been in touch with my referral yet. I asked him to do it last Wednesday so has been over a week and haven't had anything through from Tommies yet have you got a number I could call as I seem to get lost from the switch board!

OH, Kathleen Yoga called me as well, and I'm coming along next Tuesday! Hurrah!

Hi Boobz - I have the number and name of the woman who does the bookings at Tommies - I'll email it to you now.

Thanks Sparky! I did manage to get through on that number to someone who said they hadn't had a referral through for me yet (grumble grumble). Have tried to call my GP but he's not taking bookings or phone appointments until WEDNESDAY and I'm 12 weeks on Thursday - moan moan. Have been to Tommies website and printed off their referral form and am marching to GP surgery tomorrow to get any of them to fill it in a fax it while I'm looking over their shoulder.

Faf faf. I hate faffers. I'm pregnant and hormonal and I want my booking in appointment NOW!

Rant. Sorry. Rant Rant.

Rant.

Argh - so frustrating. You shouldn't have to have an appointment with your GP to get him to follow up on something he said he'd do over a week ago. That's redonculous. Definitely go in full blaze and watch them do it!

Faxed the right document from the GP to Tommies and phoned them to check they received it which they have, so all sorted! Should get appointments through in a week.

Keeping nuchal scan at St George's as am already booked in, which is less than a week away - yip!

def keep scan at St G's for now...call your GP and get reception to see if the referal got sent off, they don't need GP's permission to do that seeing as they're normally the ones who should do it. Ask them to fax it again...this happened with my GP too

Morning, went to see Tommies last night after Dannigirls tip and was really impressed. Have an appointment with my GP this afternoon to also sort out the referral....fingers crossed it won't be a problem at this late stage...Have also prepared myself with the form from the website!!

Make sure you watch them fax it to them as well Sofa... and then call to check they got it.

So exciting - a real Tommies clan. I requested to go on the Valley team but will have to wait and see.

Tits are well sore today!

don't worry if you don't get valley - I've found the streatham team are lovely

I've just gotten word from Kings that I'm with the new Tulse Hill group of midwives. Has anyone heard anything about them? I'm so happy that my home birth is on track now!

Also, I spoke with someone at Gracefield about their Friday afternoon antenatal classes and apparently this week was the last session so they should be starting a new series in the coming weeks. If I get more info, I'll post it here but if anyone else has it, please let me know.

Hi Sparky,
I have been doing the antenatal at Gracefield over last few weeks. We have one more week to go then a new cycle starts.
Classes roughly cover:
1: 3 stages of labour
2: Things that help with labour
3: Yoga with Kathleen
4: What happens if...
5: Breastfeeding
6: Life after birth and with a new baby
The classes aren't everyone's cup of tea but hubby and I have found them really helpful just in terms of getting little tips here and there (things you don't get from books etc). Our class is pretty full (only downfall - October babies ) but I have been pleasantly surprised. Other good thing is you can drop in to any session you like on the cycle and if you miss one you can catch up on the next cycle, and they are free. From what I have heard I am not convinced that say NCT ones would be any better (or worse).
They are pretty straightforward and not to airy fairy which I really like, but if you want maybe smaller, intimate class sizes with more one on one discussion might not suit you.
Dannigirl

I went in today too - was told to give them a call on Monday to check if they're having a week's break before starting the next cycle...am now seriously worried I won't make i to a breast feeding workshop before my baby arrives - does anyne know about any other local breast feeding workshops?

Sorry if I am being a bit slow... are the classes that you have posted Dannigirl free for anyone? Can I drop in? I haven't quite got my booking in appointment with Tommies but it's imminent. If you think I can go to them, when / where are they? As I'm only 12 weeks, do you think it's worth waiting for another cycle to go by before I head along?

Sorry for so many questions!

Hi Boobz,

Not sure if the classes are for anyone or only people who are registered with GP services at Gracefield Gardens or have their midwife team based there, so either Valley or Streatham midwives.
I would wait until you have your booking in appointment, from there you are allocated to your midwife. I also wouldn't bother going until you are further along, but it's up to you really. It all seemed to make more sense to me being further along. That way you meet people or other mum's that will be going to the same baby clinic as you'll probably be giving birth around the same time.
HTH, Dannigirl.

i agree with danni - I haven't gone to any yet so might have left it a bit late for the later ones but didn't really see much point before say 28 weeks

I've just realised I've gone and booked a hair appointment for the evening we're next supposed to be meeting ooooops... placenta-brain strikes again! My roots are desperate, so I think I need to go, but I'll see if I can move it first.

Just had an exhausting day trudging round trying to find bras. I've outgrown the first lot I bought in M&S at 12 weeks and now can't seem to find anything . Has anyone cracked the maternity bra conundrum? I'm struggling to find anything nice, supportive, with big enough cups and small enough back, and for a reasonable price. I can't afford Rigby & Peller!

I need new bras as well but will have to wait until next month now as we are going on our hols this month and there is no cash left! Am already completely over-flowing from my normal bras.

So anyone who has any good advice to Crazy's question above would be great!

x

I've told DH he has to treat me to some Hot Milk nursing bras.....otherwise I've been alternating M&S and my usual La Senza style (I know, I know, underwires are supposed to be bad but I hate how my boobs look in non-wired!)

I'm thinking of returning to the good old underwire too... the non-wired ones I got in M&S last time were quite a nice shape as they were moulded and padded to the n'th degree! But sadly they don't go above a D cup, and I'm now at least an E, waaaahh!

There are quite a lot of nice nursing bras (LOVE Hot Milk), but not many for when you're actually preggers. Very odd. It's as if the world actually WANTS my boobs to end up round my ankles, gggrrr...

I need to get measured - have no idea how big I am these days... DH keeps going "cor, how big are they going to get if they're that size and you're only 12 weeks!?" with a big grin on his face. Wally.

Hi all....back online... Had a great result with getting transferred last week. Saw the GP and she must have been efficient as I've had a call from Tommies and going tomorrow to be booked again....get those yellow notes, yeah! Must help that I'm 36 weeks this week!!
Had to go with underwires early on unfortunately . Found some Triumph Soft sensation ones in House of Fraser that are really comfy if a little dull. Elle McPherson do nice lacy feeding bras as an alternative to the super pricey Rigby and Peller! Haven't seen any Hot Milk yet...will point DH in the right direction!
Talking of which.....anyone got any thoughts on perineal massage.....too graphic ?!!!!!

Hello again - got back yesterday from my convention in Leicester which was great even with 200+ people going "Wouldn't it be cool if you had the baby here?!" (er, no). Hired a good wheelchair which made everything a lot easier.

38 week appt today - Squirmy has turned over and is now ready for launch... I feel like I've only just gotten used to being pregnant! I can't believe I'm about to have a baby...

I have no advice on bras as I suddenly went from 36 to 40DD at 18 weeks (grew out of the 38DD one after wearing it twice, so couldn't return it to M&S), and I'm still wearing the same ones (very soft unwired M&S maternity ones - one black one white for £20).

sofarsobreech - perineal massage is supposed to be very good for helping avoiding tearing, especially for a first birth - helps if your partner can do it as it gets hard to reach! If you're on your back, you want them pressing gently at 4 and 8'oclock, pushing the first inch of your vagina out and down. Must try some more of it...

Someone did ask me the other day if being into receiving pain as part of kinky sex might make their birth easier. My guess was unless you're into shagging giant objects, probably not... but on the other hand being used to dealing with pain and not panicking ought to help. (nothing is TMI on the internet...)

I've just got a book on Hypnobirthing but haven't read it yet.

I'm pretty sure kinky sex pain is a far cry from labour pain! There is also the added bonus of asking your partner to stop when it gets a bit stingy during role play.... don't think your baby will be quite so accommodating (although then there are the drugs...)

Am very jealous Sofa -- I faxed through my form on Friday, and told the doctor 9 days before that, that I wanted a transfer and still nothing! Grumble grumble.