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Birth clubs

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

Calling all pregnant ladies in Blackheath/Manor Park/Lew

544 replies

MrsEJO · 01/10/2008 11:46

Hello! I'm new to mumsnet AND being a mum ? this is my first!! Am only 15+3 weeks. I live in Blackheath / Lew and was wondering if there are any pregnancy groups that I can join / attend other than the NCT classes (I might be too early for those classes?). Just a gossip coffee on a saturday morning with people in the same boat would be nice!

I often catch the train from Blackheath St and wonder if there are any other 15 weekers on the platfrom just getting over morning sickness!!

Im very accessible to Manor Park too.

Would love to hear from anyone

Em

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
BumpMakesTwoAndABit · 18/02/2009 17:28

Hello everyone.

Rosa7 - which one were you at the aqua natal?! I was there too (the one without the bump, obviously ), was talking to se8mum at the end. I probably spoke to you too but didn't realise...

amytotty - which antenatal course are you doing? You're due 5 days before me, I'm doing the NCT one at Mycaenae House (same as cazinski IIRC) that ends on July 6th. I couldn't do the earlier ones. As it happens, I can't do the women-only Monday lunchtime session of this one, either, since I shall be working in Cambridge that day... I'm a bit peed off that a NCT course advertised as 'evenings' turns out to have a weekday lunchtime session. I think they should give a refund for that bit!

It wasn't so much the 'too early' bit that put me off earlier courses (they say you should be 28+weeks, or thereabouts) but quite simply, I couldn't make the dates - I know I'll be busy with work in May/early June. I think that's the same with a lot of ppl - the closer to your due date, the more likely you are to find ppl due at around the same time, from what I understand. But yes, there's the risk you miss the last session...

Hi to others. Can I be cheeky and request that the March meet-up is held any day but Tues (and Fri 13th - there's an NCT home birth seminar that night, if anyone else is interested), as I'm working till 9pm on Tuesdays and can never come?! Would love to meet everyone socially.

BumpMakesTwoAndABit · 18/02/2009 17:32

Forgot to ask - is anyone going to yoga at the Arches tomorrow, and would like to go for a coffee/lunch immediately afterwards? If so, we can congregate just outside the door on the way out and save the embarrassment of asking who's who... I was thinking either Alacosta opposite if there's room, or the deli further up the road, but there's also another cafe (Sonia's, or one close to Sonia's) that I've not tried which might do.

If not, I guess I'll be getting my usual takeaway panini on the way home

amytotty · 18/02/2009 22:36

Ah thanks bumpmakestwoandabit - I'm on the St Michael and All Angels Church Hall one in Blackheath - ends 2 July. You've reassured me though. The other course I was offered ended in May and I was worried I'd be with people much further along than me so I think I'll stick to the one I'm on. Yes my course has a couple of day sessions too (hopefully will be on maternity leave by then). It even has a breastfeeding session on a Sunday evening - how sociable?! - and the Sunday happens to be my birthday! Oh how birthday celebrations have changed...!

helpivegottogivebirth · 19/02/2009 07:06

BumpMakesTwoandait - I'm interested in joining you for the home birth seminar, though I am not a member of the NCT, nor have i booked onto one of their courses. do you reckon they'll let me in?

elk4baby · 19/02/2009 12:01

Hi all,
I'm interested in joining an NCT group of expectant/new parents. How is this done?

I've read through their website and found the antenatal/postnatal courses, but I'm already taking a hypnobirthing course next month (on advice of a friend who's had great success with it), which I think along with my reading should be enough in preparation for birth.
What I'd like to take is a breastfeeding course, but while it's mentioned on the NCT website, there's no schedule or pricing info or anything like that. Maybe, I just haven't found it?!

Also, are there any 'social' meeting for new parents through the NCT? Just looking for company, as being home with a baby is completely unfamiliar territory for me...

elk4baby · 19/02/2009 12:03

Oh, and one more thing - I'm planning on taking some vacation days in the next couple of weeks and thought it'd be a good idea to take Tuesday off to take part in the ante-natal aqua class at Arches. I believe some of you attend this. Do I need to be member to attend? Is it an ongoing thing or is it run as a 'course' of a few sessions? If so, when's the next 'wave'? I'd appreciate your feedback on this

elk4baby · 19/02/2009 12:39

Sorry for all the questions, but has any of you started to look for a paediatrician? Or is it too early for that?
Do you need to and how do you register your baby on the NHS?

BumpMakesTwoAndABit · 19/02/2009 14:49

help... - I can't work out if it's an NCT course or just run by them... the flyer says it's a free monthly session, run by NCT antenatal teachers, at 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 [email protected]

The flyer came in the envelope with my NCT booking confirmation but it doesn't say you need to be a member (and you don't have to be to do a course). You could try contacting them?

elk4baby - the breastfeeding course is integrated into the NCT longer course - I don't know if they do separate ones. They do postnatal courses as well, though - I guess BFing is discussed there too, but I don't know. I don't think they do just social meetings, since they wouldn't make any money (and as far as I can see, it's all about making as much money as possible, which is why antenatal classes in London cost twice the amount of elsewhere in the country!) - they sell the antenatal classes on the basis of the socialising.

Sounds like it might be worth ringing them and asking about short postnatal courses? At least then you'd meet other new parents - I think that's how most of the socialising things start.

As for the antenatal water workout at the Arches, it's cancelled next week, possibly also the following one, due to repairs to the pool. No, you don't need to be a member (price is higher if you're not), no, it's not a course, just a drop-in class. Turn up before the class (give yourself time to find the changing room, locker, etc), pay at reception, come through to the pool. You need 20p for the locker. Do check the website at www.gll.org to find out when the pool is reopening first though!

As for a paediatrician, why do you want one?! I don't know anything about them, someone else will know more than me, but I thought you got referred to a paediatrician only if your child had a problem/illness. Registering on the NHS - I assume gets done at your local GP surgery when you take the baby along to the clinic after the birth - but I might well be wrong!

feb80 · 19/02/2009 16:18

Latest on the Arches pool closure:

Due to essential maintenance the leisure pool will be closed between the 23 February and 4 March. We apologise for any inconvienience caused.

How rubbish!

elk4baby · 19/02/2009 16:20

Thanks for that BumpMakesTwoAndABit! I figured all babies require a paediatrician, but I guess a GP will do just fine (given, of course, everything's alright). GPs can do immunizations, right?

helpivegottogivebirth · 19/02/2009 18:35

Thanks Bump - I'll give Xenia a ring tomorrow and find out what the deal is. I'll post back on here if there is any conclusion.

lucasnorth · 19/02/2009 18:53

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 birth in an NHS hospital then you would get given an NHS number for the baby (needed to register with the GP) before discharge; I'm afraid I don't know if this will also happen at the Portland. Perhaps your midwife/consultant at the Portland can help?

Routine immunisations are normally given by the practice nurse at a GPs' surgery.

BumpMakesTwoAndABit · 19/02/2009 20:15

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.

daisyj · 20/02/2009 10:23

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.

Tupperwife · 20/02/2009 11:11

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!

elk4baby · 20/02/2009 14:09

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!

rosa7 · 20/02/2009 14:29

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

clare7rose · 20/02/2009 15:29

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

helpivegottogivebirth · 20/02/2009 19:49

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 [email protected]

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.

Tupperwife · 21/02/2009 18:28

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.

ellie732 · 21/02/2009 22:22

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...

helpivegottogivebirth · 22/02/2009 10:53

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!

ToastnHoney · 22/02/2009 19:56

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.

PuzzleRocks · 22/02/2009 20:07

Sorry for hijack. ToastnHoney, message for you here.

se8mum · 23/02/2009 09:48

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!