Chances are I'll be back in the Chingford/Walthamstow area before I give birth - any advice please?

[Mikocat]

Hello Waltham Forest MNers.

I'm a former resident of The Stow currently in exile Oop North. It's looking likely that DH are I will be moving back to the area before I give birth (May) to our first child.

Can anyone help me with recommendations/advice? I'm assuming I'll be assigned to a local hospital once I get there?

Should I be thinking of getting my name down on any waiting lists for anything? Are there any nice groups for Mums/Babies?

I lived in the area for quite a while, but having never had children it's a whole new ballgame!

Hiya,

The local hospital is Whipps Cross - some people report bad experiences, but I think the same is true of any London hospital. I had my DS there last year and it seemed fine to me. Some people do opt for the Homerton, Whittington or UCH instead.

Nurseries are one thing you might need to think about now if you're planning on going back to work. We got on the waiting list for one local nursery (Lloyd Park) when I was four months pregnant, back in Feb 2010, and still haven't been offered a place. Some other nurseries also have long waiting lists.

You might want to consider doing NCT classes as a way to meet local people with babies the same age as yours (and also to prepare for the birth!). I know they fill up fast so that might be something to book now.

There are plenty of nice groups around but it depends where you end up living. There is a good network of children's centres across the borough and they are a really good starting place for finding out about (non-NCT) antenatal classes, baby groups etc.

Hi, there are loads of playgroups in walthamstow, more useful for when your little one is bit bigger, there are several things each day of the week. To meet mums with young babies and for support with parenting, breastfeeding, etc, your best bet would be the local children's centre wherever you end up, as already suggested - they usually have a group for new parents/ under 1s & breastfeeding support group.

NCT is the best way to meet other expectant mums if you want some friends with babies lined up for when the baby arrives, support during pregancy from others in the same boat etc. The local NCT is quite active, they have regular daytime meet ups, an email group, homebirth support group. If you do an antenatal course you'll meet people due around the same time as yourself. Most NCT members/activities seem to be in walthamstow but there are some in chingford as well.

Until you know whereabouts you'll be living it's hard to know which nursery etc you might want.