Jemmarc

I recently had our second child and it was a bit different as I had to have a C-section but we hada neighbour look after my 20 month old son. I rushed to Kings in a taxi in the early hours and my other half followed later when childcare was arranged. My son didn't know anything about it and my other half rushed home for him getting up in the morning. Sorry, long-winded way of saying it is worth considering friends/neighbours/professional nannies even if your son isn't used to being left with them as if you are lucky like us it may all happen at night when he's asleep. I also considered hiring a nanny/babysitter who wouldn't mind coming to Kings and hanging out in the park nearby or cafe in the hospital so that my other half could dash out from the labour ward and see my son if he wasn't happy. Wouldn't have been ideal but we were in a similar situation to you with no family nearby. And it was Christmas so most friends had gone away. Worst case scenario I prepared myself for having the baby alone. I think once you've got your head around that it's easier to think more clearly about other solutions. Good luck - I'm sure it will be fine in the end.

We won't make it today as I'm still a bit fragile for venturing out - which is frustrating because I feel absolutely fine! Look forward to joining you all soon though. Jemma x

Hi All The ECV was unsuccessful and I was scheduled to try again today but in fact I went into labour in the early hours of this morning and had a little girl by c-section at 6am. She will have plenty of good birthday/NYE parties in the future I'm sure! The c-section was completely fine and the whole experience has been quite relaxed compared to my son's birth. I'm glad the decision was taken out of my hands in a way and I'm not sure why I was so worried about the c-section. Still to choose a name but we are both doing well and hopefully will be home after 48 hours. Best wishes for Monday Anjajoeli - I hope you find the c-section experience a positive one too. I would have preferred a natural birth too but I have to say it is nice to be sitting up in bed, not feeling totally wiped out and with 48 hours here to rest and enjoy time with my little girl before rejoining the mayhem back home! Jemma xxx

Hi All Congratulations LFH! I hope to be around the week of 5th Jan. I can't remember how to use whatsapp and what details you need so I'll check that out and PM you AnyaJoeli. Thanks Lenster! I am going in tomorrow for the ECV but with reservations - I tried moxibustion and have spent a lot of time on hands and knees and no joy so it is the last option but I'll see what I think after meeting the consultant and having the scan. I could be induced a couple of days later if he ECV is successful but otherwise it's a c-section around 7th Jan. Quite strange to think we could have a baby by the end of the week... I'll let everyone know if/when we have any news! Jemma x

Hi All, Just wondered if anyone had experience of ECV to turn a baby? I am booked in for 29th and really don't like the idea of it from what I have read online. I have to be induced/C-Section at 38/39 weeks due to gestational diabetes so the options are either ECV and being induced or to go straight for the C-section. I'm not keen on the c-section option as I have a 20 month old to look after so for his sake would like to try ECV to turn the baby but it sounds stressful for the baby and doesn't seem to have a very high chance of success... In the meantime I will be trying acupuncture, sticking my legs in the air and just about anything else that might help but just wondering if I am over-worrying about the ECV? Thanks all and hope you have lovely Christmasses. Look forwsrd to catching up and meeting some more new faces after the holidays. Jemma

Hi Amy. What you say about Kings's birthing pools is correct unfortunately - a midwife explained it all to me last week. Apparently the whole hospital had to have new water filters which slows down the water supply. The hospital had just invested in bigger birthing pools which now take four hours to fill! And they won't start filling them until they are sure the baby is coming. There are a couple of other moveable pools which are easier to fill I think but obviously there is a lot of demand. The midwife said that if you are absolutely set on a birthing pool it is better to move to Lewisham although that means having any other appointments there which is a bit inconvenient. It's still possible at King's as the problem has been on-going for about a year and plenty of people have used the birthing pools so it's not all bad news... Jemma

Congratulations! Glad it went all went well and it must be especially nice to be back home so soon x

That's good for me too. See you then. Jemma

I can do Thursday afternoon - not sure yet whether I will have my toddler in tow!

I have seen a long thread of negative comments about this company - unfortunately long after we have paid our deposit and had them design our loft. They are due to start work in March. Can anyone let me know if they have had positive recent experience of this company? I am interested to know if it is a case of a couple of bad experiences or something to really worry about! Many thanks, Jemma

Lovely to meet everyone this afternoon. Would be great if we can fit in another meet-up before Christmas - hopefully I will be able to leave William with his dad next time and spend more time joining the conversation and less time doing laps of the pub! Jemma x

I can do either but unfortunately probably not at 1pm as my toddler will be in two and he he a nap until 1.30pm most days so realistically would be 2pm before I could meet (unless he wakes earlier which does happen). Let me know if you go ahead and I can join at with location at 2ish. Jemma x

Hi there, We are expecting our second child in Jan so I have left it way too late to sign up for a refresher NCT class and wondered if anyone had a recommendation for something similar in the area? My first baby was premature so I went into labour without having done any research/classes and now I am having a second but still feel like I do not know anything about what to expect etc. Thanks all! Jemma

Hi I can do Monday. I have unfortunately missed all the meet ups so far as we have been cramming our weekends with visiting people etc before the baby comes... But I can generally do weekends or weekdays. Usually have a toddler in tow but his dad works from home so if I'm lucky he'll take over childcare and give me a couple of hours off! Jemma x

I've received a couple of messages and contacted those people but any other recommendations for good builders? We've had some not so good ones and would love to find someone local and recommended!

Hi there, We are looking for a builder who can level out the floor in our living room by 'sisterimg' the existing joists. We are struggling to find someone as it's not really a job for a flooring co and general builders and handymen don't advertise it as a skill. It's a job that will take a couple of days so not a big job. We've had it done in another room so we know what is involved but the previous builder has relocated so we need to find someone else who can do this. Any suggestions appreciated? Thanks in advance! Jemma

Hi there I'm not going to make it tonight either unfortunately. My toddler has a virus. He has a mouth full of ulcers and is very grumpy and not sleeping so we are all suffering - there seems to be something going around. I was hoping to leave him with his dad but actually I'm totally worn out myself from the lack of sleep. Look forward to meeting everyone next time! Jemma

Not sure if you've sorted this but I've had it happen before - the phone number is only ever a voicemail service (I've never had them pickup) and when their message system is full it just cuts you off! You could try calling the surgery perhaps.

I can do 18th too but not 11th x

Sorry to have missed the first meet up - I'm not sure if anything has been agreed for the next meet up but I am back from holiday on Wednesday so I will make the next one whenever it is. Hopefully meet you all soon!

We won't be back from our holiday until 17th but can join the next meet-up. Yes good point SJK - we don't seem to have any first time mums. Please don't be put off joining if you are a first time mum reading this - the group seems oddly second baby heavy at the moment but I'm sure that will change over the next few months. And besides, for various reasons I am still going into this second time around feeling like I haven't got a clue what I'm doing re labour and the birth and slightly terrified so we are definitely not all going to know it all already!

I am at home full-time - I was made redundant just before having my son and didn't find another job before deciding to get on with having a second! We are thinking about nursery a couple of mornings a week when the second one comes. I think it would be good for my son to have some baby-free time and for me to have a bit of a break! I am around most of the time. Fridays are generally good. We are away on holiday on 5th Sept but go ahead with that date as I can join the next meet-up...with a toddler in tow!

I am also expecting my second in January. My first is 16 months. It will be great to meet some other second timers - I have nice memories of sitting in coffee shops eating cake with my first asleep in my arms but I think it will be quite different this time around with a 22 month old running around causing havoc!

Can anyone recommend someone who can do this for a reasonable price. Just need the old hob disconnected. No new one going in. Thanks, Jemma

I know this has been asked before but can anyone recommend a local electrician and/or a plumber? We are looking for someone to disconnect some appliances and connect new ones. It would be a bonus if they can disconnect a gas hob too. Hoping to find someone who can do it in the next few of days as we've been let down by our usual electrician.