Jo

I have nothing but praise for Chris at the LMB: He can come to your house, if you live locally. That meant he could sit at our kitchen table, and ask us for documents and we could go and get them, or print off statements, saving tons of time and hassle. He sent through three options based on his chat with us, and got us a really good rate, with the kind of risk we are comfortable with. He then switched us to a lower rate with the same lender when it became available, on his own initiative. When I emailed in a panic because our offer was expiring, he arranged an extension for us even though he happened to be on holiday at the time. He has just arranged a second extension for us, because our sale/purchase really is taking a long time (such a relief to know he's got it in hand). He's a really nice guy, answers emails quickly, offers sound advice, and provides a really good, personal service. I would go straight to Chris the next time we needed a mortgage, no hesitation. He's been brilliant, especially considering our move hasn't turned out to be straightforward.

Was just at the Goose Green tour this morning. The official distance from the head herself is 453m at first offers, going up to 1000m after appeals.

Do you need to book a place, as with some other schools?

Huge sympathy. I think the aftercare for assisted deliveries should really be a lot better. I couldn't breastfeed sitting up because of it, and was in such pain even when walking. I could see me on anti-depressants in a few years, but the NHS don't offer any treatment options, or an x-ray to see what is wrong. The advice I got was to sit on a circular cushion, as you would for piles (no help at all). I finally saw a chiropractor after 10 months, which I really wish I'd done sooner. I saw Michael Durtnall at the sayer clinic, and he was great. He took an x-ray so we could both see the problem, which is that the bone was stuck in the wrong position, and I had three treatments, although the first one was like a miracle. I used to be like you - awful pain, and now only have the odd twinge. I should really go back again, but I do admit it was expensive. Utterly worth it, not to be miserable. He says he sees a lot of women post birth with the same problem, so we really are not alone.

Second the Princesa Yaiza - had lovely holiday there last year. Beach right on the doorstep, kids clubs & pools, plus soft play indoors, which was v handy for tiring little legs out before dinner. Also a small supermarket right outside, with nappies etc. We had a one bed apartment with kitchenette, which was just a fridge & microwave (pay extra for a kettle) but as much as we needed. Stuffed ourselves at breakfast...

To follow up my husband swears it was a buzzard, not a kestrel. Far too big to be a kestrel, he says. I'd believe him rather than me, given how small I used to think badgers are.

We saw it too, circling & then diving for something (we presumed a rat) on the railway line. Think it was most likely a kestrel from the shape of the wings (thanks Sue!), esp since it had a black strip along one edge of the wings.

Judging by the number of views this thread has had I'm not the only one who has read it, nodded in agreement, and then felt far too self conscious to actually post a reply. The alternative to a badge is to carry around an open packet of biscuits at all times. The slight flaw being that I'd be far too nervous and end up scoffing the lot before we get to the swings...failing that my vote goes to 'I like biscuits', which currently doubles as a lifestyle statement. I'm glad you started the thread Ruth, even if I'm still far too shy to go to a meet up or anything, but I'll be much more confident about just saying hello, or even smiling at other mums when I'm out.

To the OP... I had the same questions about the NCT you did about a year ago. I did an intensive course with Sillywoman in the end and it has been worth every penny. There was no judgement about epidurals, or c-sections, and the possibility that you might end up with things you hadn't planned on was so well covered that when my home birth turned into a very drawn out affair that took 48 hours from waters breaking to baby arriving, and yes eventually an epidural having made no progress at all in god knows how many hours, I didn't panic or freak out at all. There is an ideal about having a good labour, and we'd all like to have it, but the best outcome is healthy baby, healthy mother in the end, however you get there. Another good thing was the session focused on what to do with the actual baby, which was v useful for my husband as he ended up changing every single nappy for the first two weeks. My NCT friends have also kept me sane(ish) and I would have paid twice the amount had I known how much I'd rely on them and how splendid they would be. Although, sillywoman, that is not a license to send an invoice...

We got our cotbed mattress from these guys Little Green Sheep, also organic. It's a very firm mattress, really well made, and I don't think it'll have any trouble withstanding bouncing :)

The Bee does this. We got one because of stairs & storage issues - it's light and folds up fairly small so it doesn't take up loads of room in the house either. No faffing when it comes to conversion one way or the other either. Love it.

I'd love to see her live again, so yeah.

had baby last month so this is all fresh. things I was happiest to have: - umpteen cartons of juice (freeze some so they are still cold) - flip flops - pillow - straws! vital for drinking during labour and even afterwards if you cannot be arsed to lift head from pillow - primark knickers. - boots maternity towels (v padded, v comfy) good luck!

I'd avoid Melbourne Grove if I were you - do a search on the forum to find out why. I'm with Dulwich Medical Centre on Crystal Palace Road and like it much better than MG. You can check their website to see if your street is covered by them.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm still undecided but think I'm more coming round to the idea of having something, especially since we have cats who can be persuaded to stay out of things, but find blankets/sheepskins irresistible. Might investigate a pop up travel cot instead if we'll only use a basket for a few weeks, because at least I know we'll have to do the rounds to relatives sometime in the next six months.

Thanks for starting this thread Clare. Just bought the bt 150 from ebuyer at ?58.

Can't make up my mind so thought I'd ask here: we live in a maisonette, and the crib is upstairs in our bedroom. Will we need/want a moses basket to have somewhere to put the baby down when we're downstairs in the living room or kitchen? Is there something else we should consider? Will I even want to put the baby down :) ?

Hi Clare - Kings do a waterbirth talk once or twice a month on the 1st and/or 3rd Tuesday of the month. (Wish I could be more helpful but at 36+ weeks my brain isn't retaining any information it doesn't need). You turn up at the reception to the nightingale birth centre and a lovely midwife will talk you through it. If you're lucky (we weren't) the room will be free so you can have a look at it. They have one plumbed in pool in room 12 and two inflatable pools they can put in any room, and you can bring your own in if you want to guarantee it. There's lots of time to ask all your questions and it really helped me feel better about going to hospital if I decide to. I'm not sure I'll be going in as my plan is to stay at home as long as possible, right to the end if I'm happy, but I wanted to go in to explore the options and I'm glad I did. They also do tours of the labour ward twice a week - 4pm on a Monday and 6pm on a Thursday, which I'm going to go along to - you don't need to book, just turn up. Might be worth calling the nightingale ward just to check my details though, since I do seem to be turning late and early to everything these days... If you are heading towards the water birth route then I can suggest doing the sitaram yoga classes, which have really helped me learn good calming breathing techniques, and looking into hypnotherapy - I've been using the natal hypnotherapy cd which knocks me for six every time. Between these two things I'm feeling really calm about the prospect of birth, which is astonishing to me, but feels much nicer than apprehension. Even if it all goes to pot and I end up shouting for drugs, at least I haven't spent the last weeks feeling anxious :)

What a confusing business - am just about to send off my form to claim MA. Can I just phone them with a date when I decide to finish? Actually Molly, you've reminded me that I should probably do my 08/09 return now rather than wait until I have total baby brain :))

I go to therapy too and they have a pregnancy bed - make sure you mention it when you book. Bliss to have a little lie on my front this morning even if she was ripping hair out at the same time :)

Currently 32 weeks, and have had pregnancy insomnia for months now. If I manage to get 4 or 5 hours in a row I'm delighted - of course to add to it there are the twice or thrice nightly loo visits now, so most of the time I sleep for three hours in a row max. Been up since 5.30 this morning, which is an ideal time to do the internet shop... I second the hypnotherapy cd (I have the natal hypnotherapy relaxation one), which I mostly use in the afternoon. If I don't have an afternoon nap it's like early pregnancy all over again and I'm snoozing by 9.30

Found Verona's website for you : http://www.veronahall.co.uk/

Don't think there are any stupid questions first time round Sherwick. I'm with the Lanes through my surgery just as a matter of course, but I think to be referred to the Brierly midwives you would need to express an interest in home birth (anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). That was my understanding when a neighbour was referred to them. It might be worth calling the surgeries where the midwives are based and asking what the procedure is. The biggest benefit so far to me of having the midwife led care is that the whole pregnancy has seemed perfectly normal and not a 'medical' thing that needs me to be trotting off to the surgery or hospital for appointments (they do antenatal care at home) - that and my midwife is just lovely, and it's a huge comfort to know that she'll be there for the whole thing. When it comes to the actual birth I can choose what happens while I'm in labour - if all's well and I'm happy I'll stay at home, but if not I'll transfer to Kings, and the midwives will come with me. Bear in mind the main purpose of the community midwives - to have antenatal care in the community, not in hospital, and to actively support homebirths. If your wife originally wanted a private hospital because she'll feel happier in those kind of surroundings then you might want to consider other options. If you have the spare cash and want continuity of care then an independent midwife might be the best compromise - I think it's Verona Hall who is based in ED, and I'm sure she'll be happy to chat to both of you.

I live near there too, and think it's very nice, even if it's not ED proper. I suppose it depends which end of the Grove you'll be. It's not a long walk to Lordship Lane for meeting up with people and going to the shops, if you're towards the DKH end, rather than Camberwell, and easy enough to get a bus up the hill if you're tired on the way back. Maybe you could try the walk from the new place to ED and see how long it takes?

I had a worrying scan at Kings at 12 weeks, which was horrible (not because of the sonographers, just because you do want everything to be ok). I spoke to my midwife about it who was brilliant, and she also suggested that I call the Harris Birthright Centre and ask if someone could call me back to talk about the results in more depth. TBH I've found all the staff there willing to take time and explain once I got myself into question asking mode, which always seems to be impossible when you are first given the news. They are pioneers in fetal medicine at Kings, and look after women with extreme complications from all over the country, which means they are always going to be busier than your average maternity unit, and also more alert to things that might be concerning. It sounds as though the sonographer thought there was little to worry about, but just wants to be sure. She has to tell you if she has a concern, even a minor one, and even though it will most likely be nothing, because if it was something, and she'd kept that from you, you'd feel much worse long term and definitely have something to say. It's a case of better safe than sorry - try not to worry, make some calls when you can, and look forward to catching another glimpse of your boy.