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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Expecting in Oxford in 2011 anyone?

366 replies

Jer79 · 05/03/2011 12:38

Wondering if anyone else is having a baby in Oxford this year (2011)? I am due in the summer and would love to meet other mothers-to-be who live around.

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Jer79 · 26/05/2011 12:15

Hi Eva,

Next Meet-up

Tomorrow, Friday 27th May, at 11am at Summertown Wine Cafe

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somewherewest · 26/05/2011 17:14

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of NCT courses in Oxford. I'm wondering if they're worth it?

kittubb · 26/05/2011 18:06

Hello Ladies,
Enjoy the meeting tomorrow. I have to see the midwife for a follow up test, but if I finish on time I will waddle over as it would be great to see you. Baby is engaged and ready to go!! --- can't wait to meet the little buddy! And the summer picnic idea sounds fantastic!
:) kxx

owlbooty · 26/05/2011 19:24

Hi somewherewest I'm halfway through an NCT course in Botley - it's been quite good, worth going along to I reckon, if only to give your DH/DP a chance to ask any questions and talk with some other blokes :)

kitt Hoorah for the engaged baby!

Jer79 · 27/05/2011 08:57

Hi somewherewest. To a large degree I found that sites like Mumsnet or Babycentre negated the need for NCT as a source of information, as you found a lot of good answers for free. NCT is inexplicably expensive, and I am not sure I'd recommend it massively except if you don't know any other mothers-to-be and want to build up a nice circle of new mamas to hang out with and share it all with. You'll meet nice people for sure. But in terms of information, it can be quite vague, with lots of cups of tea. I didn't remotely feel I got my money's worth.

That said, I'll be happy to see the other people again, and I think that's the reason most people go.

Kitt GOOD LUCK!! Amazing that the baby is ready to go now, can't wait to hear how it all goes.

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EvaLongoria · 27/05/2011 09:13

Hi All

Really want to come but worried its going to rain like it did yesterday and I will be drenched.

kittubb · 27/05/2011 11:07

Hi Ladies,
I think I am staying in waiting for the midwife for tests. Enjoy, however, and hope to see you at the next one with a baby - but who knows, babies do what they will :)
As far as NCT - we really enjoyed our group. I think it really varies by group but as we have just relocated to Oxford it was lovely to meet people and to chat about what we had read online. NCT is, however, quite expensive, although they work with you if money is an issue. I like what the NCT as a charity does, however, so I partly saw it as our contribution to a charitable cause.
Enjoy your teas and coffees and have a lovely weekend,
k :)

BeetleBaby · 27/05/2011 11:19

Hello all, hope you're all enjoying the yummy food at the SWC.

I'm sorry I can't come along I've been struck by mastitis (again) and am feeling very weak and kitten like (and sorry for myself). Poor Sam has had two days of being confined to the living room with lots of mummy cuddles on the sofa as I ache too much to pick him up and carry him around.

See you next time!

(And I hope there isn't a repeat of last week's nappy changing relay!)

Jer79 · 27/05/2011 15:27

Hi Everyone,

Next Meet-Up is on Friday 10th June at 11am at Summertown Wine Cafe, (specifically, in the Summerhouse at the back if we can again nab it. If it's your first time coming just follow the buggies to find all the babies and bumps).

Beetle, sorry to hear things are a bit hard. I'm only down the road as you know so if there's anything you need quite badly, please do holler; sounds like you are having a crummy time of it this week.

See you soon, and maybe more babies by then?! (Good luck Kittubb!)

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somewherewest · 29/05/2011 20:50

Thanks for the feedback on NCT everyone. We'll look at the finances and have a think.

Jer79 · 30/05/2011 11:51

Hi Greenfairybump and Kittubb How are you both feeling? You are the next to give birth on the thread I think, so lots of luck for everything, we'll be thinking of you. Can't wait to hear how it all goes and to meet your babies when he/she arrives!

On another note, I just found this blog: oxbabyabouttown.blogspot.com/

It looked very promising, and is definitely very useful in that it rates a whole variety of cafes for mothers with babies. However it's written in the voice of the baby which drove me up the wall with its fake cutsieness. This may just be late-pregnancy crankiness though. Like I say, it's a brilliant service if you cut through the cute crap and get to the excellent point system for food/changing facilities/high chairs and so on. A nicer person than me might also find the baby-perspective much more endearing.

I think we might stick with Summertown Wine Cafe for the next while as the summerhouse angle is really solving a lot of our needs. It's a great space where we can breastfeed, chat, have delicious food and great coffee, park the buggies, change nappies, and all round relax as soon as we arrive. Plus they are so incredibly nice there.

Come the summer I'd also love to have picnics/meet-ups in University Parks or South Parks where we can bring blankets and drinks and really enjoy the summer with our babies and bumps. At the risk of being naive Pipcarrier I would also imagine the summerhouse and a bag of toys would keep a toddler happy as he/she can crash around amongst us all and be quite contained.

We definitely have more bumps joining us one of these weeks, and we may have more babies soon!

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karenthedoula · 30/05/2011 12:53

Hi everyone, I am new to Mumsnet and wondered if I could come and meet you all on June 10th. I am a local Birth and Postnatal Doula.

Jer79 · 06/06/2011 17:07

MEET-UP

Next Meet-Up is on Friday 10th June at 11am at Summertown Wine Cafe, (specifically, in the Summerhouse at the back if we can again nab it. If it's your first time coming just follow the buggies to find all the babies and bumps).

Karen - sure. See you there.

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PenguinArmy · 06/06/2011 21:13

Sorry to gate crash, so are these quite regular meet ups then?

We're due to move to Oxford in August when I'll be 7 months pregnant

Jer79 · 07/06/2011 13:00

Hi Penguin, and a big welcome. They are usually every two weeks but sometimes once a week - whoever goes any given week sets the timing for the next one. I'm due very soon so will be pulling out now for a while, but it's a lovely group and I think it'll be great at 7 months - you get to hang out buggy-less for a bit, and will then have lots of baby friends for your newborn. Oxford is by all accounts a fantastic place to have a baby in - the parks, activities, breastfeeding clinics, and lots of other new mothers who want to hang out for coffee and lunch with their babies and/or bumps.

Good luck with the move - do you know where you are moving to? We as a group are spread out all over the city and part of the county so if we can give you any help with neighbourhoods or anything, just ask.

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PenguinArmy · 07/06/2011 18:38

That's quite frequent I was assuming once a month.

DH will stay in a BnB while he starts work for a few weeks and find somewhere to live. It will be in the Headington (sp?) area. We started a thread for other districts but looked like any reductions in rent were offset by other costs. Can't believe how expensive it is there, I thought CA was pricey.

I also have a 15 month DD, the 19 month age gap should be fun Hmm:)

Spacey13 · 10/06/2011 17:51

Oh No! Can't believe I have found this group on the next meeting day! I've missed it! I'm due in 4 weeks time. Is there another meet up before then?

toomuchteaching · 10/06/2011 20:03

You're in luck... next Friday 11am-ish, Summertown Wine Cafe, out at the back in the Summerhouse if we can nab it.

There are a few people due between now and the start of August so you should have some similar aged babies in time.

One week I am definitely going to talk myself into a glass of wine! See you ladies soon (and good luck those of you impending...)

owlbooty · 10/06/2011 20:21

Hello Spacey :) I'm due in 8 weeks.

Was nice to see everyone today; I believe Jer has other things on her plate at the mo so hope all goes well & will see you soon, missus, if you're reading :)

Mamantra · 11/06/2011 03:23

Hi everyone,
we will be moving to Oxford on August 5th and I will be 7 months pregnant (my due date is September 26th, second son expecting). My husband will be a student at Oxford (Law Faculty) and I will be at home with my 2 1/2 years old son and the new baby.
We have just accepted an offer for an appartment in Summertown. I hope we will enjoy it! I will be very interested to know you and to meet you. We are from the french-speaking part of Canada, so don't pay attention to my english grammar!

PenguinArmy · 11/06/2011 04:37

Hi mamantra We're in a similar situation, move in August (currently in California) I'm due with mid October (DD will be 19 months).

There is another Oxford thread as well

Jer79 · 11/06/2011 10:28

Oooooh thanks Owl and TMT. It's definitely getting exciting.

Mamantra and Spacey, a really big welcome, I think you've timed joining perfectly, there will be lots of lovely summery Oxford things to do when you get here and then we'll have a few more babies. Mamantra, Summertown is a fabulous place to live, right beside where we meet up, plus it has one of the best public fitness centres in town, loads of little shops, cafes, restaurants and supermarkets, and it's really near the main town bit and lovely University Parks - it's such a great place to have chosen. Also, there is a French baby group in Headington regularly which I'm hoping to go to that might interest you -

legouterclub.blogspot.com/

I heard yesterday was fun, I was sorry to miss it - see you all soon!

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Spacey13 · 12/06/2011 18:23

That's great! Will try and come along next week. I have a 20 month old little boy called Freddy. Is it OK to bring him?

Spacey13 · 12/06/2011 18:25

Hi there. Really nice to find someone who is at a similar stage. Hope you are feeling well. I have just started maternity leave so hoping to make the most of the next few weeks before baby madness begins!

Jer79 · 12/06/2011 21:34

Spacey Meant to say, another regular member of the group is also due in about 4 weeks, so you will have quite a few babies within a month either side of you. Plus, the bigger babies are sooooo cute.

It'll be lovely to have a toddler join us too.

Kittubb Hope everything is well with you! you were due on Tuesday I think? Hope it's all good.

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