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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Antenatal classes in Hackney/Islington

22 replies

glitterbird · 16/12/2007 16:05

this is my first time on this site so any info would be much appreciated. I am now 14 weeks pregnant, due in June 2008 and struggling to find information on antenatal classes in Hackney/Islington. I have left several messages with the Hackney branch on NCT with no response and finally last week I got a new number to contact from the NCT main switchboard but so far no response there but apparently all the NCT classes are booked up for June due dates. I am now looking at some of the other private classes on offer so has anyone ever been to classes by Jessica James, Bridget Baker or Sally Watson all based either in London fields or Stoke Newington? or know anything about them. thanks

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manchita · 16/12/2007 16:20

I think they do them at Homerton Hospital. I f it is ante natal yoga you are after they do it at that place in Broadway market

MarsyChristmas · 16/12/2007 16:24

Bridget Baker is fab! Can highly recommend her.

If you are happy to travel to N10 then I run Baby Moon antenatal classes

Original poster

glitterbird · 16/12/2007 22:08

thanks for the info so far I will have a look at whats on offer on broadway market

OP posts:

NotQuiteCockney · 16/12/2007 22:10

Bridget Baker is indeed fab. I've had her.

The other names sound familiar, but I don't know anything about them.

You can go to nearby branches, but I don't know (any more!) what's up with the Tower Hamlets Branch.

funnypeCOOLYULEiar · 16/12/2007 22:16

Probably worth continuing to chase the NCT too - 14 weeks is pretty early for everything to be booked up (although not impossible)
NCT are at the start of some changes in how classes are booked in some areas, and I suspect things may not be running 100% smoothly - they may also be able to slot you into a local class that isn't actually in your area, iykwim.
Good luck

NotQuiteCockney · 16/12/2007 22:29

Well, Hackney/Islington always say everything is booked up. I suspect they don't offer classes, although I have no proof of this.

They are changing how things are being booked, which is why I no longer know how TH ones are going.

MarsyChristmas · 16/12/2007 23:03

I've heard of Jessica James but I don't personally know anyone who has used her. I know she is linked to Bridget which means she can't be bad at all.

I heart Bridget!

PorpoiseOnEarth · 16/12/2007 23:06

Jessica James is FAB. As is Bridget.
Haven't come across Sally...

hoxtonchick · 16/12/2007 23:08

we went to bridget too. she was fine. quite nct-ish i think. and we are still friends with couples we met there 6 years ago.

HarrietTheSpy · 16/12/2007 23:14

For a laugh, mention Gina Ford in one of Bridget's classes. Better still, get one of the other couples to.

elkiedee · 16/12/2007 23:40

I understand that Hackney/Islington has some kind of yahoogroup for expecting mums - I'm up the road in Haringeey and never got to do antenatal classes though I found a lovely NCT postnatal course.

MarsyChristmas · 17/12/2007 00:28

Yes there's a yahoo group. One of my clients belonged to it. She was rather pleased at the amount of knowledge she'd gained from me and was happy to pass it on. I've had work from those groups too. I have one on the go at the moment from there.

Original poster

glitterbird · 17/12/2007 13:25

thanks for all the info everybody. I know 14 weeks is pretty early for the NCT classes to be booked up but when I called at 12 weeks their voicemail message and website said they were all booked up for due dates for June 2008. mad I know. So what courses they actually offer I have no idea.

I have now received some infomation from Jessica James about a class next year but am yet to hear back from Bridget or Sally. So will make a decision this week I think.

I will have a look for the yahoo group too.

Something I did do today was attend a monthly antenatal yoga class near Manor Park at the John Scott health Centre. Its free to all Hackney residents and was worth going. My midwife did not know anything about it but I found it from the Healing tent website
www.thehealingtent.co.uk they also offer baby massage and post natal yoga too.

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Original poster

glitterbird · 19/12/2007 12:29

I have now received information from Bridget and also the NCT who do have classes available. They have a new bookings person for Hackney and Islington who is clearing the backlog of requests.

I have chosen to do my classes with Jessica as she also offers a Yoga class too and the dates actually work out best for me. so best of luck to anyone else who is looking but as I have found there are classes out there and its not as difficult as it first seemed.

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walkinginawinterBundleland · 19/12/2007 12:30

i had bridget,she's v good.

i also went to a couple of jessica's yoga classes

Janus · 19/12/2007 12:38

Hi Glitter, I used to live in Islington and rang NCT at 8 weeks and they were booked up!!!
I did yoga at the Active Birth Centre up by the Archway Tube Station and can't recommend it enough. They also have an amazing amount of postnatal classes too which were lovely, eg yoga, baby massage, baby gym. I think I did most of them!! Also they have a cranial osteopath working out of there, allsorts really.
They also run weekend workshops for you and your partner to attend if he wants to get involved.
Anyway, thought I'd mention them as you may use them at some point in the future. They also used to have (assume they still do) a good shop selling reusable nappies, nipple cream, etc!!
Good luck with your classes.

Original poster

glitterbird · 21/12/2007 12:26

Hi Janus

thanks for the info I will keep it in mind for after the baby is born.

Archway is not too far away from me

have a good Christmas

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beforesunrise · 21/12/2007 13:09

bridget baker is ok- but a bit hippy floaty and she definitely took a dislike to me- i felt a bit weird in her classes. (Paranoid, moi?), and i know the other girls went on to see her afterwards but she never returned my calls.

she has a v cool house though.

GemmaMURPHY · 07/03/2008 10:58

I'm just about to sign up for the yoga and antenatal with Jessica James and I was wondering how you found them in the end.

Thanks

elportodelgato · 07/03/2008 13:20

I am currently doing the yoga and antenatal classes with Jessica and really enjoying it. I'm finding the yoga very relaxing plus it's been brilliant meeting other local mums-to-be. I'm sure you'll love it.

Also, if you want to give pregnancy yoga a go prior to your classes starting, I can totally recommend yogahome on Allen Rd in Stokey - ante-natal classes are on Sun mornings and Wed evenings with tea and chat afterwards www.yogahome.com/

Original poster

glitterbird · 07/03/2008 13:30

i just started Jessica James yoga classes 2 weeks ago and so far I am really enjoying them. Its nice to meet a few new mums to be in the local area. The actual birth/parenting classes don't start until April so not sure what they will be like but I am sure they will be what I am looking for

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PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt · 08/03/2008 19:10

Hi there - they have free antenatal classes at Paradise Park Children's Center in Islington. If you phone them, they will say what days and time. It used to be Friday mornings but I think it's changed. You can go every week if you want to.

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