marvellous mavis

The problem with all these success stories is that they are all testimonies from women who were overdue, and - surpise surprise - subsequently went into labour. I tried everything to bring labour on - I ate hot curries, walked around four miles a day, had sweeps with my midwife and yes, in a moment of weakness, had acupuncture. I really regret spending ?50 to have six needles poked into me and then wriggled around. If you want to take action - and I really understand that desire to do something, anything, to get things moving - then maybe consider a massage designed to induce pregnancy. I had two of those and they were worth every penny - they completely relaxed me and I think helped prepare me for giving birth, so that even if the specific massage oil she used (which included clary sage) had no effect, it was money well spent. I went to Amy in Dulwich Village - http://www.thedulwichtouch.co.uk Good luck.

Thank you Fushia - for bringing this newbie up to speed - and once again re-iterating the point I was actually making in my post that this can be a bewildering minefield for mothers and that militant mums can make forums such as this quite a daunting experience. And to return to the original post - the op did ask for people to not get into a debate about the rights and wrongs, so I shall leave this rest of this thread to the experts.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/14/six-months-breastfeeding-babies-scientists Fushia - I am posting this article not so much as to continue the debate but to offer a balance. And because I think this fairly recent article - January 2011 - demonstrates above all how guidelines are constantly being revised and what a confusing experience that must be for mothers.

Yes - the rational part of me reckons it really won't matter once I reach that stage but then I just wonder if I would feel less worried about getting left (there are horror stories on here about Kings, although I think they are far outweighed by fantastic accounts). It's very very early days but I should find out in a couple of weeks if I have a place with the community midwives. And if not, well I am pretty sure all will be fine anyway. My original question was simply because my practice nurse at Lister just said Brierley but as soon as I did a search it seemed that was misinformation.

Gosh! Look at the trouble I have caused. Anyway, I have put my name down for the Lanes and Oakwood midwives. But chances of getting either are pretty slim. Which leads me to a different question - perhaps for another thread, but hey, this thread seems to have a life of its own already - which is: are there many of you out there who didn't meet their midwife before the birth? Most of my friends with babies have had community midwives, and I am just very worried about rocking up to Kings on the day to take pot luck. That's not any reflection on Kings btw - just my own insecurities. As for home birth... it's just not for me this time round.

I have just been to see the nurse at the Lister Health Centre and she thought I could be referred to the Brierley midwives (there are no community midwives at Lister anymore and i would like the chance to meet my midwifery team before the actual day). I don't want a home birth - does anyone know if Brierley take people not preparing for homebirths? Alternately can I be referred to the Lanes if I am not a patient there? Many thanks for any advice.

Dickensman Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Marcus wrote:- > the impact on us of having children has however > made me think about how i want to bring up my 2.5 > year old son, and i have in recent months been > teaching him to put away his dirty dishes, wipe > down his table and generally tidy up after > himself. it's a hard slog as i think my boy is an > alpha male at heart, but i genuinely already feel > an enormous duty to the future mother of his > children so will not let him off the hook. Poor > chap. > > > Some might interpret this as you being too lazy to > look after him, after all he's only 2.5 and he's > given a hard time, > > this type of training doesn't usually start until > they are at school. Poor chap indeed! What a thoroughly unpleasant and judgemental post. I've seen plenty of two year olds being given a little guidance in tidying up after themselves and I think it is excellent for children to be encouraged to do things for themselves and to take responsibility in a small way, rather than leaving it for teachers to try and discipline them at a later stage.

Dickensman Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > 'THE BOYS OWN BOOK OF PARENTING' > Chapter 1. > > To be continued....... At the risk of sounding rude, thank you Dickensman but I don't think that is the book I'm looking for. No further chapters required.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions so far. It definitely looks like The Bloke's Guide to Pregnancy is a popular choice though I think my other half would probably struggle with being defined as a 'bloke'. Definitely going to give Christine Hill a go myself. And the Dummies Guide sounds good too. Many thanks.

Thank you Rook for your response. Looking around they do seem few and far between. Most seem to be written with that awful blokey tone as if they are longing to be serialised in FHM. Definitely agree few things beat a chat with a mate and a pint. Has anyone read The Expectant Father - sounds quite American but a good introduction?

My partner and I are planning on dipping a cautious toe into possible parenthood next year and he has asked me if there is a book that is a good introduction for dads. Has anyone got any suggestions? Something that offers some practical information about conceiving, pregnancy and perhaps the first year from the male perspective. Nothing by Tony Parsons please! Looking forward to hearing from you - many thanks.

Actually she mentioned it on her radio station yesterday .... a sitcom about (gasp) estate agents if I heard correctly. Wonder what it'll be called?

Many thanks for all the messages and advice regarding my lovely cat Mr A who sadly needs re-homing. He met a lovely Forumer today and I think he is really looking forward to living with her. Once again East Dulwich Forujm has brought together neighbours and their pets! A big ahhhhhh all round. Thank you!

This is a very sad tale. A cat, Mr A, turned up in my garden about a year ago (when I wasn't actually living in this area). He looked scared, hungy and was terrified of humans. But he kept sneaking through our cat flap for food. We put notices up and tried to find his owners, but all to no avail. When we came to move to East Dulwich we decided he would have to come with us. Eight months on he is a changed cat - he loves snuggling, is very loving, and is a real companion. In short we love him dearly and he us. But a routine check up at the vets has revealed that he carries the FIV virus ... not contagious to humans, but contagious to cats (and we already have two who today tested negative). Everything else has been tested and he is actually very healthy - it is just that his immune systemn isn't what it's cracked up to be. And he needs to live in a single cat household, preferably as an indoors cat (although he never actually leaves his own garden and isn't a fighter so isn't a risk to other cats). I am desperate to find this cat a loving home ... it really does seem as if he has only just found a happy life, and I am very anxious it continues. Perhaps you know a neighbour who might like him? Please have a think and PM me if you have any ideas.

This is a very sad tale. A cat, Mr A, turned up in my garden about a year ago (when I wasn't actually living in this area). He looked scared, hungy and was terrified of humans. But he kept sneaking through our cat flap for food. We put notices up and tried to find his owners, but all to no avail. When we came to move to East Dulwich we decided he would have to come with us. Eight months on he is a changed cat - he loves snuggling, is very loving, and is a real companion. In short we love him dearly and he us. But a routine check up at the vets has revealed that he carries the FIV virus ... not contagious to humans, but contagious to cats (and we already have two who today tested negative). Everything else has been tested and he is actually very healthy - it is just that his immune systemn isn't what it's cracked up to be. And he needs to live in a single cat household, preferably as an indoors cat (although he never actually leaves his own garden and isn't a fighter so isn't a risk to other cats). I am desperate to find this cat a loving home ... it really does seem as if he has only just found a happy life, and I am very anxious it continues. Perhaps you know a neighbour who might like him? Please have a think and PM me if you have any ideas.