CFM

In case anyone missed, the BBC Horizons programme on Autism here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0404861

I had my first at St Thomas and two subsequent babies at Kings. I would say post-natal care was probably better at St Thomas but all else better at Kings, particularly pre-natal appts and midwife care. Both are very busy and once you have the baby they leave you to your own devices... I had an emergency csection at Thomas' (not particularly traumatic or anything) but two easier natural births at Kings so that may colour my judgement. Prepare for them to be really rushed though - with my last baby (two months ago) they didn't even measure him after birth and we had to ask for the weight! they were great during actual labour though, and that's the main thing... I should say I chose T for my first as our closest hospital was then Whittington. Kings is our closest and that was great. Good luck!

On bullying in the teenage years, homophobic or otherwise, you should see the It Gets Better campaign - a wonderful initiative. I don't know if the link works, but this video made for the campaign was particularly cheering:

Football Magic do Saturdays, I think, and holidays. You can google them for the site.

thank you!

I have seen previous threads but the person recommended appears to have moved as I can't seem to reach her... Hence request for more recent experiences/recommendations...

Has anyone got recommendations for a good independent speech and language therapist, particularly one with experience of young children and autism? Does Babble and Squeak (SLT dropin) still exist? We have an NHS referral but could take months... Thanks

I have an out n about nipper. Red, side by side. PM me if you are interested, as was just about to find a new home for it.

Thank you all, all of these comments are really helpful.

Can anyone recommend good books (nothing depressing, please!) on autism spectrum disorder in children, in particular young children/toddlers? Many books appear too clinical or of the 'family-who-struggled-through' variety, neither of which particularly appeal. I would like tips and help, not more depressing labels which frequently do not correspond. Thank you!

This programme made me angry. Full of cliches and a massive guilt trip to boot.

I don't generally comment on the forum, but your post illustrated pretty much how I felt after my first and now after my second. I am returning to work full time in a month, leaving my 2.5 year old and 8 month old.

There is no magic answer to whether you should go back, for how long, etc. It is very hard. Hard to leave them, hard to respond to all the needs and demands of work etc. But my answers to your questions are

1. I went back when my first was 10 months and felt very guilty. I suspect this is the experience of every working mother. But i also enjoyed being me, doing something for myself and earning money ( yes, that old chestnut).

2. I went back four days but will now do full time. I also do pick ups and drop offs, leaving the children at 730, returning at 6. This is very very hard. This timw i will work a day from home.

3. It is impossible to work from home with a small child. I had one call with my then one year old removing every single item from my purse and wallet and then removing every book and ornament from shelves. Stressful, you can not concentrate on either work or the child.

4. Better working hours are the holy grail. If you find the solution, let me know, I have been dreaming of retraining for three years now!!

Good luck, its really tough and no decision is perfect. Do what feels right for you.

Hi,

The Portuguese-language playgroup is having its March meet-up on Friday, at 230PM or thereabouts in the cafe/playground at Dulwich Park. The idea is to help/encourage children under five (and their parents!) with their Portuguese (Brazilian or European). Anyone welcome, PM me if you are interested!

Try not to worry. Midwife measurements are not all that scientific - wouldn't nature be incredible if at 34 weeks we all measured the same?? I was referred for a small for dates scan for my first and he was a decent 8 lb 2 oz in the end and always 90 th centile after that. Scan is identical to other ones, pretty similar to your first in terms of length of time required. Not as long as the 20 wk one as i recall. They should be able to give you a birth weight estimate.

You can ask to see an obs or consultant midwife. I saw a very nice consultant midwife at kings who helped me decide and understand risks and benefits etc... I think it was around 28 or 30 weeks.

... We are meeting tomorrow (Friday) at 230pm or thereabouts in the cafe at Dulwich Park,if anyone fancies joining us despite the grim weather!

Hello!

Wondering whether anyone is interested in reviving our playgroup... Perhaps just an informal get-together of anyone who already does or would like to speak Portuguese to their under-fives, meeting in Dulwich Park or cafe this Friday or next to start off? I am Portuguese and have a 27 month old and a 6 month old, though obviously only the eldest has much to say in any language... Any takers?

Clara

I had a VBAC baby last July at King's. I felt really supported throughout the (long) labour process and never pressured to have a section, even when things were slow... Ventouse in the end, but still a victory! I would only recommend that you take your notes from your first labour to your obs appointment - it helps them understand what exactly happened and how best to support you this time. You can request them from the hospital, though it can take a while.

Hi,

As a one-off, this week we are meeting Thursday (tomorrow) at 3pm at Dulwich Library (children's section) instead of Friday.

Usual meeting time remains Fridays at 3pm.

As always, everyone is welcome though we do try to run the group exclusively in Portuguese.

Bump...

We're meeting on Thursday this week (tomorrow) at 3pm, still at Dulwich Library and heading to the park if the weather is fine. Do come and join us! From next week, it's back to Fridays at 3pm.

Hello,

First playgroup session is scheduled for this Friday at 3pm. We're meeting at Dulwich Library, in the children's section. Please come along! The first topic is A Familia (The Family).

Yep, the meeting is tomorrow! Please come along if you're interested. If you are interested but can't make it, please PM me your preferred time/day of the week/place for a regular meeting, as well as anything you'd particularly like to do during the sessions, and I'll make sure we raise it tomorrow.

Thanks!

Wednesday is actually just the day that the Lambeth council lady could make it, so it's a bit of a one-off. In general, I would hope to meet sometime on a Friday? That would probably be a more popular day with most people... We'll keep you posted either way!

It's never too young to start! Your baby will still enjoy the music and watching other children, plus she'll be listening all the time. My youngest is 11 weeks, so she'll have company too.

Hi,

The Portuguese playgroup for 0-5s is having its first meeting next Wednesday, 29th September at the Brockwell Lido cafe at 10am. Portuguese-speaking and bilingual families, please come along!

This is not a permanent venue nor will Wednesdays necessarily be the day we meet, but the idea is to get together and see what time/place suits everyone best and what we would all like to get out of the group.

Please see attachment or PM me if you're interested.

EVERYONE is welcome but the group will be run in Portuguese.