Knomester

As others have said, the trains from HOP to LB can be packed. I haven't noticed much reduction in commuters on the LB trains since the ELL was introduced, but I am travelling a bit later at the moment to make sure I get a seat whilst heavily pregnant so can't comment on the earlier trains. You will definitely need to be near the back of the train (near the stairs) to have any chance of getting a buggy on a peak time train, but generally there is room. On the way home I think it depends on the train you are catching and whether you are early for that train (or the platform is displayed in good time). The LB-HOP trains are just as packed in the evenings, but if you get there say 10 mins before your train leaves and head for the far end of the platform there is usually more than enough space. Try asking on the SE23 forum - http://www.se23.com/forum/ - which covers HOP.

On the subject of your concerns about your children being close I wanted to say that even if you and your brother aren't so close, it doesn't mean your children won't be... My mum and her brother aren't particularly close and rarely speak (although get on well when they are together). I am the eldest of 4, 3 girls and then 1 boy (who everyone expected and probably secretly hoped would be a girl). We're quite spread out in age (I'm 18 years older than my brother) but all get on really well. We don't get to see each other very often as we all live in different corners of England, but keep in touch and love it when we get together. I'm expecting my first baby in August and my brother (who has just finished his GCSEs!) is coming down to stay in a couple of weeks to help me with jobs and have some time away from the parents. I'm amazed that at that age he wants to spend a week with his 'old' sister, but he genuinely jumped at the chance and I can't wait for him to arrive so we have some quality time together!

It's also worth bearing in mind that Mothercare will sometimes match online prices for new purchases. We found the cheapest online price for the pram / buggy / car seat we wanted and Mothercare on the Old Kent Road matched that price which meant around ?130 saving off their normal stock prices. It's always worth asking if your brother and sister-in-law decide they would like to buy new.

I do pregnancy yoga with Sitaram at King's hospital on a Saturday morning - Jo Harrison who takes the class is very good. They also do evening classes at Brockwell Lido as someone else mentioned. I'd definitely recommend Jo's class on a Saturday!

Great news Michelle!

Thanks Molly. I'll have another look this weekend and if I'm still undecided I may take you up on the offer...

Thanks Vickster - that's really useful to know! I love the look of this bag in that it's more like a handbag so I can keep my bits and pieces in it too...I just can't get my head around something so extravagant that doesn't seem to be the most practical option!!

Apologies for resurrecting this thread but I'm just getting around to choosing a changing bag and based on everyone's suggestions above have got myself a bit of a shortlist... The problem is that I haven't been able to look at most of the bags in the flesh (as opposed to online) so it's a bit difficult to decide. My current shortlist is: - Lin & Leo: http://www.linandleo.com/babybag.cfm - Pacapod: http://www.pacapod.com/shop/baby-nappy-bag-large-portland?option=black OR http://www.pacapod.com/shop/messenger-nappy-changing-bag-for-dads-logan?option=black Skip Hop: http://www.skiphop.com/product/20000.html OR http://www.skiphop.com/product/22000.html OR http://www.skiphop.com/product/21000.html I looked that the Lin & Leo one in John Lewis and whilst it is rather lovely (my kind colleagues are buying me one so I can be a tad extravagant...!) it doesn't seem to be particularly practical. There wasn't a mini changing mat inside and none of the pockets inside had zips or similar. I haven't been able to look at the Pacapod or the Skip Hop other than online.... Does anyone know of somewhere that stocks them? Which would you go for (if money was no object...)?

Hi Sally The most important thing is to check that your surgery (or the midwives) have sent your details to King's so that your scan can be arranged. Have you heard from King's with a date for your scan? As for seeing a midwife, I'm not with DMC, but I wasn't seen until post 12 weeks and that was just for a booking in appointment with the coordinator. I saw a midwife at 16 weeks which although seems late is fairly usual I understand for East Dulwich. If there is anything urgent you need or you are having problems then there is the Early Pregnancy Unit at King's but for normal questions, etc I found that most information which my midwife could give me can also be found in a good pregnancy book. Best of luck!

I haven't reached the stage of having to make the decision you are facing (my first baby being due in August) but I went to a mixed school and therefore may be able to contribute. My school was a normal C of E comprehensive and was not in the best of areas however there was a great ethos and pupils achieved. There was a strong focus on mixing girls and boys so, for example, from 11- 16 I not only learnt to play what are traditionally known as 'girls sports' I also did football, basketball, mixed hockey, etc. For athletics in the summer we were mixed and in track for example the top girls would race the top boys. All pupils also studied what was CDT (Craft Design & Technology), Home Economics, Sewing, etc together, regardless of sex. I think we thrived on this mixed environment. I certainly don't recall any particular pressures (such as 'dumbing down to fit in'). Had I had the opportunity to attend a private school I dare say I may have been able to do marginally better with grades but I'm not sure that being a single sex school would have made any difference. My baby brother (18 years my junior) is at a mixed private school now - he has 3 big sisters so mixes pretty well with the opposite sex anyway (!) - and is doing as well as he would anywhere (concentration span of a gnat...). From my personal experience (and I know I have no experience of single sex education to compare) I would choose mixed education for my child for the reasons you mention - that society is mixed. A huge part of school based education is the socialisation, learning to mix with others and hold your own which, in the big wide world, involves both sexes.

We were told that the ticket machine proceeds go to charity...

I'll still head down for as close to 6.30pm as I can then and see you there!

I'm still coming along too! Like Lucy I'm happy to come along at 7ish if that's more convenient for you all? Do you think we need to book a table? I've lost track of how many people are coming....

I'll be there at G&B on 9th June too!

I'm due with my first on 10 August and still on for the meet up at Green & Blue on Wednesday 9th June!

I've got the dream genii and it's OK but I wouldn't say it was a miracle pillow which has solved all of my pregnancy sleeping woes...! The advantage is that it's small (so I don't steal the whole bed from my husband!) and easily transportable which is good for nights away. I gives good bump support and is OK for the legs / knees. I don't find that it stops me rolling onto my back as it claims - the back support is pretty small and I find myself sleeping on it on my back some nights! I should say that I have added problems with my back and hips (pre-pregnancy problems which I'm struggling with increasingly now) so it may be that there isn't a perfect solution for me and it could be great for others.

I'm 28 weeks now and all being well I've planned to finished when I'll be around 36 and a half weeks. Originally I'd planned to push my finish date a little later, but in the grand scheme of things I don't think a week or two here or there will make much difference once baby arrives. I like the idea of having some time to myself to put my feet up and get sorted (and do lots of cooking and baking...!). Added to which my mile walk over One Tree Hill to Honor Oak Park to the station and back every day is getting more and more like hard work each week...!!

Thanks everyone! I'll contact the people you recommend and find out a little more from them.

Hello I've done a search on the forum and read all of the threads I could find on hypnobirthing, some of which recommend hypnobirthing classes and/or using the natal hypnotherapy book / CD, which is all really useful. I just wondered if anyone has a personal recommendation for a local hypnobirthing practitioner who runs classes or individual sessions? I have borrowed the natal hypnotherapy book and CD from a friend but am also considering whether or not to go to some sessions with my husband. One name I have come across a few times on the Family Discussion is Christine Neillands. Would anyone recommend her?

You can pay per session at Peckham Pulse.

Thanks for the idea of splitting into separate bags Fuschia. I think that would be best for me seeing as I'm hoping we can stay at home - so one for me full of labour stuff and one with baby things and spare clothes for me for afterwards. Goodness knows when I'm going to pack these bags... I'm very good a writing lists though!

This is what I have on my list so far (gathered mostly based on advice from friends). I'm hoping for a home birth but packing a bag for hospital anyway so that it's all in one place and just in case I need to go in. It seems so much - not sure it'll be one bag....maybe two! Would love to know if I've missed anything you think I'll need! Water, juice, energy drinks Sweets Snacks, cereal bars, nuts, dried fruit, etc TENS machine? Straws Front-opening night shirts (dark) Dressing gown Slippers Flipflops Tracksuit Bottoms (dark) T-shirts Feeding Bras Night feeding bras Clothes to travel home in Breast pads Maternity towels / Always night towels Old knickers Nipple cream Tissues Dettol / anti-bacterial wipes Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, deodorant, moisturiser, toothbrush, toothpaste, cotton wool pads, cotton buds) Pillow Flannels (dark) Towel (dark) Hair grips Lip balm / vaseline Hand cream Antibacterial gel Paracetamol Toilet roll (super soft) Cotton wool Baby wipes Baby toiletries Muslins Nappies (lots) Nappy sacks Babygrows / Nighties (newborn and 0-3 mths) Vests (newborn and 0-3 mths) Cellular blanket Hat, mittens, etc (depending on weather) mobile phone / blackberry + charger Cameras + memory cards Money Notebook + pens Books, magazines, etc Car seat

Oh my...and I thought choosing a pram was difficult enough! I want something unisex that both me and my husband will feel comfortable with. Some of those Pacapod bags look great! I love the separate sections.

I'm afraid I'm away on 2 June and busy on 26 May so I can't make either of those dates...sorry.

I would recommend Jo Mitchell who is a cranial osteopath at the Sunflower Centre in Brockley. I have begun sessions with her after she came highly recommended to me. She works with a lot of babies and children as well as pregnant women (like myself) and adults of all ages. I hope everything goes well for you and your little one.