Welcome to the Tower Hamlets Antenatal Page

This page contains listings for antenatal activities in Tower Hamlets, and some details about NCT antenatal classes.

I try to ensure this entry has the current course availability in it. What courses are full, what courses still have space, and how I'm doing on arranging future courses. Other entries include:

• An explanation of the course content.


• Birth options, including home birth, and a Birth Centre opening in December 2007.
  
• All the relevant information about breastfeeding in Tower Hamlets


• Various ways to meet other mums in Tower Hamlets.


• Yoga and other antenatal exercise in and around Tower Hamlets


• Booking information, explaining how the booking process works, and FAQs about the classes.
  
• Upcoming events in Tower Hamlets


• Information about an upcoming homeopathy course for expectant couples.
  
• Information for mothers expecting twins (or more!) in East London.


• Links and contacts for mothers interested in real nappies.

If any information on this blog is missing, or if there is information you think should be here, please email me

Upcoming Events

Nearly New Sale

Our annual Nearly New Sale is taking place on Saturday May 12th, at St Barnabas' Church, at the corner of Grove Road and Roman Road, from 1pm to 4pm. There will be a tombola, stalls, and loads of great baby supplies at great prices.

Nappy Options

Kerstyn is our local NCT real nappy rep - she has a wide range of information on and experience using real nappies. She can be reached on 020 7680- 0676, or by email.

The Real Nappy Association has general information, and information about lots of mail order companies. They can also be reached a 020 8299 4519.

The Nappy Lady offers lots of advice and a mail order service. Also has mail order biodegradable (moltex) disposables.

Expecting Twins? Or More?

We have a local club for mothers, and expectant mothers, of twins or more. It's called Twins and More East End (TAMEE). It covers Hackney and Tower Hamlets, but mothers from other areas are also welcome. They have a yahoo group. It's run by Alice (07957 429 951) and Marie (07780 851 482), and you can also email them.

Current Course Status

Courses for July, August and October are full.

I still have some space on a late-September class, but I expect it will fill soon. I am off on holiday for most of August, but hope to release November dates before I go.

In September, my (volunteer) job will be be taken over by a paid person, who will handle bookings for several boroughs. This should make things more professional and efficient. Obviously, I will be passing my list of interested people to her.

Also, we may be changing venues soon, at least for some classes. Wherever we use will be in Tower Hamlets. We are considering public transit accessibility, car parking, lunch options nearby, and cost. Unfortunately, course prices will possibly go up soon, because of the venue change.

(updated July 26th)

Course Content

Course Times and Locations

I offer the courses my teachers are available to teach. Lately, I have been offering quite a few two-day workshops, which take place on either two weekend days (at least a week apart), or a weekend day and a weekday. The two-day workshops consist of 11 or 12 hours of antenatal class time, with an associated two-hour evening breastfeeding class. Every few months, I offer a one-day workshop, which takes place on a Saturday, and consists of 8 hours of antenatal class time, with an associated two-hour evening breastfeeding class.

All the antenatal classes take place in Canary Wharf. The breastfeeding sessions take place either in Canary Wharf or at the teacher's house in E3.

Antenatal Workshop Teachers

Antenatal teachers undergo a thorough training with the NCT and they are registered annually with the Trust. They are expected to keep up to date with developments in their field. Their role is to offer support, information, practical skills and resources to help parents make informed choices for themselves and their babies. They are not normally medically qualified. They do not offer medical advice and parents are asked to take questions about medical care of mother and baby to their midwife, health visitor or doctor.

Content

The course covers pregnancy, labour, birth, and the effect of a new baby on the family. It focuses particularly on the choices available to expectant parents and also includes exercises for breathing during labour, different birth positions, massage and relaxation techniques.

Breastfeeding Information Evening

Tower Hamlets Antenatal Course includes a breastfeeding session led by one of our local breastfeeding supporters and tutors with the Breastfeeding Network. This session provides opportunities to have all your breastfeeding questions answered and get lots of practical tips to get breastfeeding off to a good start. Sessions take place in the tutors' own homes, or at Canary Wharf.

Birth Choices

Home Birth

Have you thought about a home birth? It's at least as safe as birth in hospital after a straightforward pregnancy, and there are many advantages to having your baby in your own surroundings. There is a monthly home birth support group in Tower Hamlets where you can discuss your options with other parents who have given birth at home or who are thinking about it. The group meets on the last Thursday of every month, except December, at 45 Norman Grove, Bow, London E3 5EG. 8pm to 10pm. It's free. Partners and children are welcome. If you'd like more information, phone Claire on 020 8980 9580. Otherwise, just turn up.

Birth Centre

On December 3rd, 2007, a Birth Centre will open in Tower Hamlets. It will be midwife-run, and located in the Isle of Dogs. It will be a small and homely centre with a family feel. The birthing rooms will each have a birthing pool, and entonox (gas and air) will be available. These rooms will be used for labour, birth and your post-natal stay, with an en-suite shower room, and sleeping facilities for two adults and a new baby.

The Birth Centre will be staffed by midwives who are experts in normal birth, therefore no obstetricians, paediatricians or anaesthetists will be on site. In the rare event of complications, mothers will be transferred by ambulance to the appropriate hospital.

If you have a straightforward pregnancy and the midwives consider that you are at “low risk” of complications then you may apply to have your maternity care at the Birth Centre. You can ask your midwife, GP, obstetrician or another health professional to refer you, or you can contact the Birth Centre yourself.

Independent Midwives and Doulas

There are independent midwives and doulas operating in Tower Hamlets.

Breastfeeding in Tower Hamlets

While Pregnant

Tower Hamlets NCT antenatal classes all include a two-hour breastfeeding course, with a local breastfeeding supporter.

There are free NHS Breastfeeding classes, run by Jo and Joy, Tower Hamlets' breastfeeding specialist midwives, held at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, every 3rd Wednesday of the month, on the 4th Floor Holland wing from 1pm - 3pm. I'm afraid only women are welcome. If you have questions, ring them on 020 7377 7000 Ext 3948

You don't need to book ahead, but you should get there for the start of the class. To attend, you should be giving birth at the RLH, or be a Tower Hamlets resident.

You could also visit one of the local BfN breastfeeding drop ins for a chat, and to meet local breastfeeding supporters.

When Your Baby is Born

The Tower Hamlets Breastfeeding Project is a team of breastfeeding support workers who provide information via home visits and drop-in groups to all first time mums in Tower Hamlets, and any mums of second or subsequent babies who would like their help and support.

If you live in Tower Hamlets but give birth outside the borough, you can refer yourself to the project. As soon as you get home, phone 020 7377 7000 x 3948 saying your name and address and that you've just had a baby. You can leave a message anytime. Someone from the team will call you back as soon as possible. The team works office hours Monday to Friday.

The Breastfeeding Network is very strong in Tower Hamlets. Their supporterline, on 0870 900 8787, is a very good place to start getting help if you are having trouble. (The NCT, La Leche League and Association of Breastfeeding Mothers are other good organisations offering breastfeeding support in the UK. But the BfN covers Tower Hamlets better than any of the others.)

BfN members run a wide range of breastfeeding drop ins in Tower Hamlets. You don't need to be having a problem to visit, you can just drop in for a chat.

You can find information and support about breastfeeding at a range of websites:

• Kellymom/
• Jane's Breastfeeding Resources (British!)
• Jack Newman's page

Meeting Other Mums

If you attend a Tower Hamlets NCT antenatal class, you will meet other mums there. Whether or not you take one of our classes, there are a range of other ways to meet local mums:

Coffee Mornings

Coffee mornings are mostly held in people's homes. They are open to pregnant women, or mothers of new babies, living in and around Tower Hamlets. You do not need to join the NCT to attend a coffee morning.

The best way to get coffee morning details is to join the NCT - you will be sent our quarterly newsletter, with details of coffee mornings in it. You can also get details of the coffee mornings from:

• E1/2: Kate Murphy, or 020 7702 7111 (8am to 6pm)
• E3: Lisa Logan, or 078 4338 5705
• E14: Emma Wigmore, or 07949 135 220

Tower Hamlets NCT Committee

Our branch is run entirely by volunteers, and we are often looking for people to help out. You can start while pregnant. If you're interested, please email me.

Tower Hamlets Mums 2 Be Group

A local mum is organising fortnightly social evenings for Tower Hamlets mums-to-be. The venue will vary between local bars/cafes and being hosted at NCT members' homes.

For more information, you can email the organiser, or join the mums to be yahoo group.

Because organisers of this group keep going off an having babies, we're always looking for someone to take over her job. It isn't very demanding, and is an excellent way to meet other pregnant mums in Tower Hamlets.

THNCT Yahoo Group

Our yahoo group is also a good place for information and chit-chat. We have monthly pub outings, nearly new sales, etc etc.

Antenatal Exercise in and around Tower Hamlets

Antenatal Yoga:

Bodywise. Roman Road near Globe Road. Discount for all NCT members.

Flow Studio. In Wapping

Holistic Health. Broadway Market, in Hackney.

The Quiet Space. Docklands

The Yoga Place. Bethnal Green.

Aqua Exercise:

The Arches Leisure Centre in Greenwich offers antenatal aqua exercise classes

Homeopathy for Pregnancy and Childbirth Workshop

A local homeopath is planning a two hour class for mothers to be and their birth partner.

£20 per couple or £45 (including a 42 remedy kit).

Dates for 2007: Saturday July 14th, Saturday September 15th, Saturday November 10th.

Homeopathy is a form of natural medicine that is effective and safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. During this class, you will learn about remedies that can help during pregnancy, with a particular focus on those that can be helpful during childbirth.

Every birth is a unique and challenging experience that is naturally unpredictable. Remedies support this process in a number of ways: to establish effective contractions, prevent exhaustion and by helping to resolve fear and anxiety. We will also look at how homeopathy can be used to speed recovery after the birth.

Email Tracy to book your place.

Booking Onto a Course? Here's How it Works ...

First Steps

First, you send me an email (include your estimated delivery date!), or fill in the online form at the NCT webpage.

If your class is not yet ready, I will send you an email telling you, and saying I will email you when the class has been set up. (You can look at this entry to see how close the course is to being set up.)

When the class dates have been finalised, I will email you (along with everyone else on the list) with the class dates, enrollment forms, and some general information.

Enrolling

You need to send me back the enrollment form, with a cheque for the appropriate amount.

When I have your form and cheque, I will email you to say you have a place on the course. Sometimes I get cheques after the course is full - if this happens, I can put you on the waiting list, or discuss other courses that might suit you, if I have any. Places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, in the order I receive the cheques. If I receive two cheques in a day, for a single course place, I flip a coin.

Then, I will send you a letter with the dates, times and locations of all parts of your course, some details about the course venue, and a copy of a current branch newsletter. (This sometimes takes a little while, I'm not great at posting things.)

Getting Ready for the Course

Two weeks or so before your class is due to start, I will send you a reminder email. This will include a letter from your teacher, about anything she wants you to bring. I need you to reply to this email, so I know you are still planning to attend. If you do not reply, I will telephone you.

If you cancel, I will do my best to find someone else to take your place, by emailing people who are on my list. If I find someone to take your place, you will get a full refund.

When I have a cancellation, I email everyone on my spreadsheet who has an appropriate delivery date. I generally give people 48 hours to reply, and show they are interested in the place. If there are several couples interested, I flip a coin to decide who gets the place.

The Course

The teacher will arrange to share course attendee details, and arrange a course reunion for some time after all your due dates.

FAQs

I don't live in Tower Hamlets, can I attend these courses?

Yes. I don't select class attendees based on where they live - only by due date.

I know you haven't released the class for my due date, can I reserve a place?

When the classes dates are firm, I will email all interested people, and everyone will have a fair chance to enroll.

What if I have the baby early? Or move house? Or am otherwise unable to attend?

As long as I have a few weeks' notice, I can generally find someone else to take your place, guaranteeing you a full refund. Medical emergenies will be considered on an individual basis.