missmack1981

Hi all RE: tomorrow wednesday.. Strike day wahoooo!! I'll be taking Ava to swings at peckham rye park from 10:00am ish and then head to the Gardens (electrical cafe) to give her lunch at about 11:00. All welcome to join me... With or without little ones in tow!! If not see those who can make it on Thurs pm. Anna x

Hi all, Try www.firstaidforlife.org.uk for baby resus course. I did it first time with a group of us organising it to be held in The Rye Hotel Pub but they were happy to run from someone's home too. Caroline, that Hacknet Doula article was a good read.. I didn't take too much notice of the report but it's reassuring to hear the proper facts and figures in that article. I'm well up for a pamper evening HannahKT... keep us posted!! Wed meet up details to follow... otherwise see you Thurs pm.

Emma, I might take you up on loan of birth pool... Is that a bit rank? I did hate the pool first time but I don't want options to be limited should I suddenly demand one!! Arnica tablets are 2x 30c 3xdaily then 200c during labour. (Available from health matters on lordy lane) Spoken to my midwives at Oakwood and they've assured me that there's no reason a home delivery isn't possible. King's is only a short ride with the blues and twos if needed. Although DO NOT read the article in the papers today about homebirths.. It's not all that reassuring. So can I suggest, Wed am playdate at Peckham Rye swings then the Gardens cafe for kids lunch/ mum's tea and cake at 11:30amish? Let me know if this suits anyone. We've no plans yet so totally flexible! Emma.... 11 days to go!!!! X

Welcome new winter baby mums.. Hannah, I've been in lots of pelvic pain this time round... Just discovered arnica tablets though (recommended especially for pregnancy) and it seems to have worked a treat... Much less painful! It's apparently supposed to help with post-natal healing and swelling too so advice is to start taking in last months and during labour too. All herbal/homeopathic which, usually I am not convinced by but actually working! Can give you dosage etc if interested. Also bought a tight bump support band and that seems to give some relief too. It's all new to me this pain as first pregnancy was sooo symptom free (apart from the obvious growing tummy!!) Sara, those crepes sound AMAZING... I'll be up for daytime visits there from 16th Dec for sure!!! Oh and I'm Striking on Wed 30th Nov.. Is anyone around?? Could meet up again in Gardens for coffees? then take any kiddies to swings? Was such a good taster of maternity leave! I don't know what's come over me either as not only am I going all herbal but I'm now planning a home birth?? After the thought repulsing me first time around and a really complicated/painful and hideous delivery first time it now seems like the best option...last time I got to 7cm with the use of an amazing TENS machine so I'm hoping by avoiding the transfer to hospital I will continue to labour successfully at home.. Have bought a TENS machine this time to be sure I'm well prepared!! So this christmas I will be asking santa for tarpaulin, candles and whale music!! Looking forward to STRIKE on wed otherwise drinks on Thursday night x

Hi all Oh Steph, I hope you weren't the only one last week... Hectic week at work and numerous late nights = no play time for me:( Pickle, I hope all's ok with you! Just to let you all know that some 'friends of friends' set up their own photography company recently and have a special offer photoshoot for ?20 including free print. Additional prints are reasonably priced too... I had a maternity session and a session with Daughter (blondie if you go into client viewing page under Anna) and am sooooo happy with pics!! http://custardcreamphotography.com/ or search on Facebook to see my gorgeous little Ava too!! I had maternity shots first time around and am so pleased I did as (believe it or not) you do begin to forget what the bump looks like!! Anyway I promised I'd recommend company... Hope to see people next Thursday. Have a good week everyone.. and bumps! Anna

Hi peelietta, Congrats! Good luck with the final weeks for work and look forward to seeing you at a meet up soon. I'm sure those who attended will agree that the Sleep seminar delivered by Nicola was brilliant! I found it so interesting and informative and would totally recommend it to anyone else who's interested in hearing about babies sleep patterns and solutions. Content was practical and unbiased (lots of 'routines' explored), pacy and crammed full of information!! I will be forwarding her details onto a couple who are possibly interested in hosting another session but her website is www.childsleepsolutions.co.uk if anyone else is interested. Big thank you to Emma for organising and baking and to Nicky for also baking... Ummmmmm Hoping to make it to the Actress again next Thurs so hopefully have a good catch up then. Have a good weekend.. Checking out TeaDance for Little People tomorrow morning if any Mums with toddlers fancy. Anna

Classes from 6:30pm for 2 hours for the next 3 weeks... Elliot's refusing to come so will look like single mum!! Good luck baking things.. sounds too adventurous to me. It was finally my turn to cook tonight as have been shirking any cooking responsibilities for about 2 years... I bought a 'cook me' stir fry from Tesco. whoopsie ULTIMATE in LAZINESS. It was gross too... so at least I'll never be asked to cook again! Well if beautiful daughter will sleep in a spare bed you're welcome to put her to sleep here... although it may turn into a 'hands on' project for sleep expert! Otherwise see you when you get here x

Nice seeing those who made it before I rushed off on thurs. Gowlett was packed so actress was the right choice!! Thank you to Mothercourage who has organised sleep seminar on Thurs. If anyone else wants to join us I believe there is still room. It's ?20 from 7:30PM this thurs. I've offered to host, so there will be wine! No peer pressure though ladies, I have a wide selection of herbal teas too!! PM me or MC and we'll give you address and more info. Anyone else booked onto Parent education at Dulwich hospital this Tues? I bunked off last time as went to NCT classes but as I've forgotten everything I've decided to give them a go. I'll look out for Winter babies faces!! See some of you on Thurs. Anna x

Hi all, I'll be going to the gowlett on thurs anyway as friend is having drinks there for birthday... Would obviously like to see bumps too so let me know plan and I will pop over to see you for one if you decide on actress or 'Kill two birds' at the gowlett. Jab done- aching arm a bit now but otherwise fine. Hopefully see you on thurs x

Sara, My jab is friday so hoping not to get fluey reaction in time for weekend! 'Normal' pilates is monday night at 6:15 and if your fitness levels are good Pilates inspired toning is Wed pm at 6:30 both at dulwich fusion. Jennifer the instructor is amazing with a body to die for, so great motivation! I always have to book a week before as very popular although you can phone and ask to go on waiting list as often last minute cancellations mean you squeeze in! Although, if you 'work from home' regularly she does day time classes which are quieter... Oh saying that in a couple of weeks she's taking a 5 week holiday. I'll still go to those slots but the cover instructors can be hit and miss!! I'll try to remember to bring my sling next thurs.. If I'm feeling brave and unashamed I'll bring a teddy for a demo!! Anna

Hi all, Sara I hope jab went ok? Julia. I think birth plans serve as a good prompt for discussion with your partner but depending on birth experience become redundant in delivery room. Key things on mine which I insisted on were: Happy for baby to receive Vit K jab. No cleaning of baby after deliver and for her to be placed skin on skin immediately after delivery Intermittent monitoring of baby's heart rate- not continuous if at all possible No cutting of umbilical cord- natural third stage. Self attachment for feeding if possible. And then emergency situations and this always makes me weepy... Partner to accompany baby if transferred to SCBU Remaining conscious during C-section With regards to pain relief and intervention I put order of preference and obviously planned for as natural as possible but ended up having 3 epidurals none of which were that effective for me.. You really can't be that rigid with your birth plan as you can't predict how you'll cope with labour... I'm hoping for a natural this time but you never know what size... Length of time... etc labour will be like. I would think that the pethadine/epidural debate is the one you should think about but both as administered at different stages of labour and pethadine doesn't seem that common at Kings... Eekkk... I just hope we all sneeze our babies out!!

Am sweltering now... In my layers and hat damn weather... I'm in back of cafe.. Not to be mistaken for group of mothers at front with very little babies!! X

Hi all, I'm also very jealous of mat leave people and am actually an imposter today! Back to work next week until the 19th dec where I get 2 weeks off for xmas then a week back at work before I go on official maternity leave on 9th Jan... Due day is 13th so baby might make other plans! I had 6 weeks off before 1st baby's due date and found myself eating and watching mindless TV and thhinking of nothing apart from the new arrival to be! I was climbing the walls when she was a week late too..so this time I'm keeping myself well and truly busy! From posts about sleep seminar, in those two weeks, Thurs 10th looks good for most as does Friday 18th or Sat 19th. That's actually my birthday weekend but as I'm stuck with a limited wine diet, I'm postponing for the foreseeable... And I sincerely doubt that partner has even considered romancing, proposing or whisking me away for a last minute 'babymoon' (wink wink elliot if you read this). At least it's narrowed down to those 3 dates. Emma, how's course teacher fixed for those dates? See some of you in a bit.. If I don't drown on the way.. Weather is SHOCKING :(

Hi all, Looking forward to seeing those who can make it at the Electrical Cafe from 2pm tomorrow (Wed 26th). I am hoping that my daughter will remain asleep in the buggy and I can get a good old natter in! Providing all goes to plan tomorrow.. I shall aim to get there promptly and if i can't see anyone else, will try to grab a largeish space.. If you haven't been along to a meet up yet, I'll be the one with a black Apple ICandy buggy with snooze shade on (if child alseep) or a wriggling blonde 2 year old if she decides she wants to join us! -Sorry Steph, only just read post about you being around this am! I am more than happy to host the sleep meet. I have only just read the link though and max numbers is 20 people.. I would suggest that if number start to get that big that we split group into 2 session and someone else will have to host one or we find a larger venue. I'd say I could comfortably accomodate 8 maximum. With regards to dates, if you're suggesting 2 weeks time then I calculate that is the week beginning the 7th November (much later and little Mothercourage might have made an appearance!!). I am trying to keep up with the pilates so Monday and Wed evenings are out, as is Tuesday evening and Sunday afternoon as this is when I collect/ take daughter to Grandma's and Granddad's Childminding services! So Thurs or Friday evenings, Sat anytime or Sunday morning or evening.. Perhaps we can have a 'show of hands' to what suits. I am not fussed either way. Will sacrifice a pilates session if the options are too limiting for people. I hope this jibbering post makes sense... I have work I should be doing and realise that this post is acting more as a distraction tactic! Pickle- I've heard that Apple Strudel is actually a cure for swollen ankles so eat as mch as you can... for medicinal purposes!;-) Anna

Well done Sara, mat leave column is a good idea too! I cannot open on here either but email attachment works fine. So as Sara is 'working from home' on weds and pm might be more convenient for lily.. How about Wed pm? My daughter usually sleeps until 2:30 but she'll sleep in buggy too so can actually meet earlier and have an uninterrupted coffee before she wakes up. Wednesday, Electrical Cafe at 2pm Let me know thoughts!?? Anna x P.s taking daughter to LondonTransportMuseum this week as half term activities on for under 5s so let me know if anyone fancies coming along to that too x

Hi all, I had no probs with no 1s sleep as like pickle I got into a good routine from day 1.. I didn't do anything 'groundbreaking' just things like bath, into room, lights dimmed etc... She was in an amazing routine from 5 weeks but all undone when admitted to hospital at 10 weeks so had to start again!! I armed myself with as much info as possible before she was born and was able to take the strategies I liked from various 'techniques'. I am a bit of a geek when it comes to reading all the methods out there but have to admit I have read NOTHING this time....and it seems so long ago since I went through this!! Let me know details emma... Would probably need reminding on everything!!! Also we organised a First aid course and held it in back space of Rye Hotel. They were really accommodating and it's a nice quiet area. Also my house is quite big so happy to use my house if more convenient. Anna x

Hi all, Lovely seeing those at Actress again this week. Bumps defiantly growing!!! We spoke briefly about daytime meet up next week. I'll rack my brains but possibly the Electrical Cafe by the gardens or Green and Blues. Then toddlers can have a little play whilst mums have coffee and cake?!?! That way both first time mums and 2nd/3rd timers are welcome. Any other suggestions welcomed too!! 10:30am on Tues is a good time for us but we're entirely flexible next week. Let me know... All welcome! Sal, no experience of excess fluid but I hope everything is ok.. Keep us posted. Roll on Maternity leave!! Anna x

Eek I'm running a little late too... Aiming for 7:15ish!

Lucky you Alex.. I'm off for half term next week so would love a coffee/ lunch date. Can discuss tonight!! I'm only going to be able to pop out for an hour from 7 tonight as I was out 'till 11pm last night, which is crazy on a 'school night'!! plus I have a tonne of work to do tonight. Hoping to catch up with whoever can make it... From 7pm to right of bar at actress! Anna x

Oh dear god... Sorry for all the BOLD in my post... Weird!! I wouldn't panic too much about flu 'season' only starts in oct and haven't heard about latest swine flu outbreak... Teaching is supposed to be considered more high risk as all the kids share their lergies and so far, no swiney kids to report!!! I think the chance of getting ill enough to affect unborn is so small it's not worth panicking about but if you are offered jab then perhaps consider it, just to be safe? X

Hi all, Sal I'm booked in for flu jab, as is daughter (for heart condition reasons). I didn't have it first pregnancy as that's when swine flu first appeared and jab didn't exist. Last season daughter had jab and wasn't ill at all and I have no hesitations getting it done again. The jab protects against swine flu which my friend contracted whilst pregnant last year and was terribly ill and luckily her unborn baby was ok. I just don't think the risk is worth it! Just so people aren't confused, the actress meet up isnext week Thurs Oct 20th as the gowlett was the plan for this week. Congrats BB on boy and good luck for Mon Sal.. Will be waiting up updates!! My friend was due on sat and is still waiting so advice I remember from last time.. Take your due date and add a week.. That way friends and family aren't texting you daily for updates, she's so fed up now! Good luck everyone and hope to see lots again on Thurs Anna x

Hi all, Tomo, how did I miss that post? A boy!! Congratulations that's exciting news!! And good luck Sal, I look forward to hearing your good news soon too. Another successful meet up at the Actress last week welcomed Ruth and D to our 'fold'. What an amazing group we've managed to form and definitely a lot of support for each other in the coming months... Not to mention coffee/gossip and play buddies!! I'm not going to be able to make tonight. I am so busy at work and Tues are when I do the drive to collect my daughter from her sleepover at grannies! I will be at the actress next week though so look forward to seeing some of you then. Nicky- see you on the 3rd. Have a good week all and good luck for scans etc Anna x

Welcome Tessabelle and congrats Di. I hope all is well with everyone else. I look forward to those who can make tomorrow night. The actress 7pm onwards To right of bar. I have a class trip tomorrow so may desperately need a drink but may also fall asleep in my pizza. Anna x

Hi all, Congrats Pippa.. I can't believe you've left us guessing though... ummm will have to inspect bump next time and make some predictions! Warning to all Zafira owners (or owners to be). It seems like the car that most new families buy but make sure that if you do, you ask the dealership about THE STUPID SPARE WHEEL DESIGN.... argh, after I thought my luck had changed recently, I noticed that the cage underneath my Zafira was open and some bloody ?$%&%^&O(%^"& has stolen the wheel. A problem the dealership are fully aware of and are able to provide a lock for... grrrrr why didn't they say!?! So with the break in and the Sat Nav going, me putting petrol in the BF diesel and now THIS... surely I should win the lottery tonight or something?!?!? Anyway details for next meet up are; Thursday 6th October The Actress (hoping for space to the right of the bar) I'll be there from 7pm (with a large glass of wine for my stress levels!) Lovely meeting new faces on Tues and look forward to catching up/ meeting some more then. Have a good week, Anna x x

Hi all, Hope all are well... Looking forward to tomorrow. Taking previous posts into account I'm suggesting a meet up next Thurs 6th October from 7 at The Actress. I know a few people who work there so in any other situation I could wangle a few jager bombs on the house but perhaps we'd better stick to the soft drinks! The change of venue and day should allow others to come, who can't make tuesdays and meeting more regularly should reduce numbers. I'll reserve a space to the right hand side if people interested in coming. Also my disasters seems to have stopped happening.. Today I narrowly avoided smashing my kitchen window with an exploding flask lid. god it makes me sound like a klutz but I swear I wasn't before this pregnancy. Anyway catch up tomorrow Anna