Mums or Mumstobe in Oxford?

[Dozeyland]

Any mums or mums to be in Oxford?

I am! 25 weeks with my first baby. Don't know many mums in Oxford but start NCT next month. What about you?

I'm 31 weeks on Friday with my first baby! How did you book the NCT ones? are you going to the JRH ones?

I'm in Oxford too - but my children are all at primary school (7, 7 and 5). I'm still in contact with some of the other Mums I met at NCT classes, even though I only managed to go to two.

Yay, more Oxford people!

I'm only 8 weeks so not quite as far along as either of you! I don't know any mums with babies or young children in Oxford (and as we're not really telling anyone in RL until after the first scan those that I know with older children aren't offering advice yet!) I am hoping to meet people through classes and things so you'll have to report back about what the NCT classes are like Kittykatzen

Yes me... 20 weeks today and called to try to find out about NCT classes from Virgil. Will also do NHS in Woodstock I think (it's only 1 afternoon). Don't know any mums in Oxford so am v hopeful about classes.

Hello, 33 weeks here. Hell of a time getting on the NCT class, they fit me in (after not calling me back the first time I called) for a Sept 1 start when I'll be 35.5 weeks.

Hi, Im in Oxford too, 20 weeks yesterday, don't know any other mums or mums to be in Oxford, tempted to start some sort of antenatal fitness classes in an attempt to meet people.

Hello, Oxford, too, and hello BeetleBaby, have seen you on the Antenatal Club, I'm about 7 weeks!

I've just spent 5 minutes trying to work out what a mum stobe is.

I might need lunch....

I got on the Oxford NCT class only when someone else dropped out - and I emailed them very early on. They get booked up scarily fast; you need to submit a query through the NCT website. I did get a place in Abingdon but turned that down when I got Oxford. Booked NHS class at the Grandpont children's centre and also doing the NHS "midway" class next week (free through the John Radcliffe). I go to Buddha Bellies yoga in Woodstock on Mondays too, and was gutted that they have cancelled the Aquanatal classes at the Ozone - the nearest ones now are in Bicester or Abingdon but the times don't suit me.

Would be up for meeting other mums to be though if anyone else keen?

Kitty - are you on the same course (Wednesday) as me then, or a different night?

I've been going to Aquanatal in Abingdon, and the teacher is lovely, well worth the drive. Am kinda pissed off that they cancelled the one at Ozone, too!

I'm in Oxford, got one DD and having DS in November. Didn't bother with classes last time as no one could tell me the point!

InvaderZim - afraid not, we are a Thursday class for NCT. Was quite happy to drive to Abingdon but I work shifts and can't make a lunchtime class - is that the one you go to?

Has anyone been to the antenatal classes at the JRH?

Got the midway class at the JR tomorrow - not sure if I could access other classes there as when I called about NHS classes I was offered Grandpont.

Hi I'm Oxford based too, just had my 20 week scan at the JR today. Haven't booked any antenatal classes yet, enquired about a place on the Kidlington NCT classes in Dec but they are in the day time and its a lot of money, so have delayed a decision, probably too late now. Just looked up the Mid preg classes in my midwife pack, do you think it's too late to get a place? Will call tomorrow and see.

Hope everyone is enjoying their pregnancy.

Kitty, would you recommend the yoga? Woodstock is very close for me

Hi Readyornot - yes I would definitely recommend Buddha Bellies. You can contact Nicole through the website (google it) and it's held in the Woodstock town hall. 45 mins of pregnancy-related chat then 1 hr 15min yoga. Very chilled and relaxing!

I got on to the midway class without any problems, they hold them once a month. Only reason I'm going a bit later than usual is because I couldn't make last month, but it sounds quite relaxed too. And free!

Hello everyone - May I join you? Nice to see some locals on here. Im 12 weeks with my 1st and desperately awaiting my scan on the 4th at the JR.

Can anyone that's been to the JR for appointments or given birth shed some light on what it's like? Not from these parts, and naturally feeling like a novice, but how on earth do they expect you to choose a hospital w/in a week of finding out you are pregnant, and can't really talk to anyone about it, etc???!!! I chose the JR cos my GP was about to go on leave to have her first there, and well, I could take video tours online. Could have gone to Swindon, but couldn't bear the thought of my baby being born in Swindon.

(there is antenatal yoga on Monday nights in Abingdon as well if anbnyone wants the details)

Larty74 JR have been great with me, we had a tough time after a 1/6 nuchal result and all the staff were lovely, kind & patient. All ok in the end.

It's a teaching hospital so has a great reputation but you may find there is often a extra person in your appointment observing or training, which is fine by me, but they will always ask if it's ok.

Expect a wait for the scan, the waiting room is always busy and after 5 scans (because of nuchal thing) I have found that the sonographers style varies a lot, some talk you through it as you go, some do their job and then tell you at the end. So dont think (as I did) arhhh! there silent that's bad and if your worried just ask them.

kittykatzen I think we may have met at the mid pregnancy thing, I signed up last minute after your post, so thanks! I arrived a little late on my own in a khaki dress. Was great to get more info on what to expect and the woman was really helpful & knowledgeable if not maybe a little old fashioned.

Hi Readyornot2011 - yes we saw you! I was the girl in a mixed race couple, wearing a blue dress with boots. I enjoyed the class, I can well imagine the teacher is the kind of mum who has delivered three breech babies vaginally and with no nonsense! I'm a paediatrician so it really helps me to hear "normal" birth related stories as I am so used to seeing the abnormal. Will confess I am freaked out by most aspects of pregnancy - I guess that's what happens when you know too much...!

Larty74 I second the point about how long you have to wait! For my 12 week scan we were there for ages but that is also as I got signed up for a research trial and spent time with the research midwives - which also meant when the little one didn't cooperate they were happy to try again for the nuchal. Ditto the anomaly scan. Clinic was a bit mental too, took over 2 hours to see the obstetrician but I think they kept me waiting to make sure I saw the consultant as I'm a doctor at the JRH. What I didn't expect though was seeing 4 different people in all - the "wee nurse" for a specimen, someone who took my blood pressure, a midwife who examined me and listened to the heartbeat, and finally the obstetrician. My advice - if you have clinic there, take a book! It is worth it though, there is a very good reason the JRH has an international reputation for quality.

Thank you kittykatzen and readyornot2011 both interesting and helpful info!

Was considering signing up for the research trial myself - aside from the little annoyances you think it's worth it? I figure why not? do they sign you up at that first scan or do you have to say something ahead of time?

I signed up for the trial as I think anything that helps investigate pre-eclampsia has to be a good thing. As I had been taking Pregnacare vitamins/Omega 3 with my folic acid I could only be randomised into the monitoring part of the study. They approach all first time mothers when you go for your first scan. You can pull out at any point. Essentially it involves having your height/weight/waist measurement, urine test and blood pressure taken, answer a few questions. You have an extra measurement taken at the 12 week and anomaly scans, measuring the flow in the uterine arteries, but it doesn't add any time on. You also have some blood taken on three occasions, but in reality they combine two of those with tests you need anyway, and take these at the time of the scan too (I have one extra visit at 32 weeks to have the final set taken). Not sure what happens if you aren't on a multivitamin - think you get given either a vitamin or a placebo and have pretty similar measurements taken. They also ask permission to keep the placenta but in reality they don't usually want it (and I certainly don't!).

I also signed up for the pre-eclampsia research, I hadn't seen my midwife before the scan so hadn't heard about it and they just asked me on the day if I was interested in doing it. They promised wouldn't make any difference to the care you recieved so I was happy to help in any way I can and I agree with Kittykatzen wasn't exactly hoping to keep the placenta either.

Thanks all for the research info, I think we are gonna do it!