Expecting in Oxford in 2011 anyone?

[Jer79]

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.

Hi all, I am in Iffley village and am 28 weeks with my first. We are having a girl and she is due on the 25th May. I am hoping to use the Spires but hadn't realised the space was so limited - ImvaderZim I hope it is the case that it isn't common to not be able to use it!

I am also starting NCT classes with Virgil this week, I've heard the classes are really good but I am mainly interested in meeting other parents to be as everyone I have spoken to has said that the NCT classes are great for getting to know other mums to chat to once the baby arrives. Would be good to organise a meet up on here for the same reason - I have only been in Oxford for a couple of months anyway so it is great for me to meet new peeps :)

I was told by my MW that there are staffing issues at the Spires. It is often 'closed' as they don't have enough mw's to staff it, so I don't think it's that it'll be full up there, it's just whether it's open at the time.

That was one of my main reasons for choosing a homebirth this time. I didn't want to risk ending up in the normal delivery suite and if the spires may not be able to take me, I'd rather be at home.

Hi Littlewhitewolf I'm relieved to hear you say the Horton in Banbury is good. I've read some terrible reports about it and was considering travelling to Oxford for the birth.

Could I join your thread please?

AgBag - October 20th 2011 - Banbury 1st baby

Hi Agbag and MrsGraham Welcome to the thread along with everyone else. Would Oxford city centre be a good place for everyone to get to for a meet-up? Is there any time that people definitely can't do?

I think anyone going for a home-birth is pretty impressive, I'm too nervous about labour to consider that route. Maybe for number two though, once I actually know what it's all like.

Steph28uk - March 21st 2011 - Abingdon (Girl) 3rd Baby
CaringForPod - April 29th 2011 - Botley
pipcarrier - June 11th - North Oxford 2nd baby don't know gender
Jasmine51 - June 16th 2011
Jer79 - June 22nd 2011 - Jericho (Girl) 1st baby
owlbooty - August 7th 2011 - Kennington (probably) boy 1st Baby
AgBag - October 20th 2011 - Banbury 1st

Woo, just adding some more info to my listing

CaringForPod - April 29th 2011 - 1st baby - Boy - - Botley
Jer79 - June 22nd 2011 - Jericho (Girl) 1st baby
Steph28uk - March 21st 2011 - Abingdon (Girl) 3rd Baby
owlbooty - August 7th 2011 - Kennington (probably) boy 1st Baby

owlbooty - what NCT classes do they run in Botley? They didn't tell me anything about those! I went to an NHS one the other day at the Children's Centre there (just down the road), but having to trek to Jericho for NCT ones.

My MW has been amazing with me (I'm a bit on the crazy side) and really can't fault her. However, I've found referrals are taking ages to come through. In fact, neither of them have come through yet! I was referred to IPPS the week after Christmas and still not heard anything. Still waiting to hear about a physio appointment for really bad hands (think it's carpal tunnel). Think I'll have had the baby before anything comes through at this rate!
That's good news re the Spires, InvaderZim. I'll hold you to that come April !

On a positive note, I'm getting really impatient now! Can't wait to meet our little chap .

would it be really cheeky of me to lurk on here? I'm just north of Oxford and TTC #1 but I don't know a single person who's trying for a baby and not many people with young children, so it would be great to pick up some words of advice about being pg in Oxford!

Hi ghosteditor

CaringforPod NCT classes in Jericho! Have they started? We are being told we have to go out to Kidlington (from Jericho) for ours. Would you mind sending me your NCT info as this was the exact class I had hoped for when signing up.

Jer79 a meetup would be great, but for me personally the city centre would be a bit of a pain with a toddler in tow - you ladies have all this to come, the fun of park & ride with a buggy :)

On the last page I suggested Starbucks at Pear Tree roundabout, within walking distance of the park & ride for those that don't drive and easy parking for the rest of us.

Would people be interested in day or evening? I guess some of you are still working.

Nothing brave about a homebirth honestly. Labour and birth is fine, don't be nervous!

Or what about somewhere in Summertown? Easy to get to for everyone and would suit day or evening?

Hey

Summertown would be easier than Peartree for me as I don't drive and the P&R bus doesn't always stop near me. Also there's plenty of places to choose from that aren't too far apart in Summertown and are close to the carpark for those that do drive.

For those that are interested in the Spires I went for an antenatal appt and tour there today. It was very reassuring from the p.o.v of a nervous first timer! The MWs were lovely and the whole unit felt really calm. I was also impressed with the variety of facilities available to use in each room (though the 'hammock' did look like something from an adventure playground rather than labour room!)

Steph28uk - March 21st 2011 - Abingdon (Girl) 3rd Baby
BeetleBaby - 7 April 2011 (though the 2 April by my dates!) - North Oxford - 1st baby, gender still a mystery.
CaringForPod - April 29th 2011 - 1st baby - Boy - - Botley
pipcarrier - June 11th - North Oxford 2nd baby don't know gender
Jasmine51 - June 16th 2011
Jer79 - June 22nd 2011 - Jericho (Girl) 1st baby
owlbooty - August 7th 2011 - Kennington (probably) boy 1st Baby
AgBag - October 20th 2011 - Banbury 1st

Summertown would work for me too, and I think that the buses from Kidlington go through it, and possibly Pear Tree too. There's a load of cafes to choose from - what about the the Portobello Cafe on South Parade? It does great coffee, has space and is pretty deserted in the mornings. South Parade is just really lovely too.

Sounds good Jer, do you know how baby friendly it is in there though? ie. do they have highchairs and baby changing area? If we meet in the daytime I will have my little boy with me.

Pod it was here - run by someone called NIcky Clarke. I can't see the exact course I am booked on available now, which makes me think it might be full.

That, or I've booked myself on to something imaginary!!

Ps. I am lying. I mean Nicky Scott. Brain is not working today.

Ha, I'd quite like it if it were run by Nicky Clarke, could do with a haircut!

Just looked at the link, and I guess it all depends upon when your baby is due - the next Botley one is for May/June babies, which will be too late for us.

Summertown meet-up sounds nice. I work part-time, but sure we could arrange something that suits us all.

Hi,
Does anyone know anything about the baby stuff outlet store in Oxfordshire? I've heard about it but have no idea where it is.

I havent heard of that but BabyWorld is about half a mile from me...lovely people, great place...did a fantastic price matching deal for me on my buggy. All these years I've lived here and didnt have a clue it was there...mind you its not exactly on the main road!

Never heard of either of those Jer & Jasmine. Where's the BabyWorld shop? Sounds intriguing...

Is this the place, Jasmine? I didn't know about this either - I wonder if it's the same place. The one I heard about sounded a little bit mythical - a baby retail shop outlet store with massive reductions on everyday prices. Sound like a fantasy or like Babyworld?!

Actually, speaking of shopping, what pram/travel system set-ups has everyone gone for? Still a bit undecided though the ladies at the Oxford Pram Centre were lovely and helpful.

Thats the one - yes it was mythical to me too til I saw it with my own eyes. Its just off the A4074 outside Wallingford..on a farm...down a little lane...down a steep slope...amid mists and fairies...
Its a modest sized place, not as big as Oxford Pram centre but they do have most things on their website in stock, are very helpful people and as I mentioned are open to price matching and deals.
I bought a Baby Jogger City Elite witha raincover thrown in for free which I am delighted with - it suits where we live (rough roads) but more importantly it was the only one I could collapse easily and with one hand! They had a good selection of three wheelers and cars seats. If you are travelling a distance you could play with the model you want locally then go there to do the deal. I met a lady who had travelled from Birmingham to do just that.
Jer if you wanted to get a bus to Wallingford I can pick you up and take you the rest of the way.

Aww, thanks Jasmine.

Must...Stop...Looking...at...Babyworld...website! I really don't need can't afford to get anything else. Wish I'd known about that place earlier though, I'll have to keep it in mind for the future, thanks ladies!

Our pram is the Mama's & Papa's Sola, we actually got it from the factory shop up in Huddersfield (both me and DH are from The North so were able to pop in last time we visited family) otherwise we wouldn't have been able to afford it. It was one of the few that did everything that we wanted and had an adjustable handle. I'm 5ft 1 (ish), DH is a lot taller, so handle height was pretty important!

Will admit I did fall in love with the big Silver Cross sleepover when we went to the pram centre though, so pretty!

Hi

So, our First Meet-Up will be on Friday 18th March in Summertown at 2.30pm at the Summertown Wine Cafe.

There will be another one a few weeks later in Portabello Cafe in Summertown, but this first one is just to get the ball rolling.

Hope to see you soon!

P.S. Pipcarrier Will nip across and check out the baby friendliness of Portabella when I'm in Summertown.