Antinatal classes in Islington

[thomasina1]

Any recommendations? The nearest NCT ones seem to be in Clapton so I'm wondering whether the NHS ones at my local GP surgery would be a better bet. I am due in November. Thanks!

[glitterbird]

I am not sure about the NCT classes in Islington but I am starting classes with Jessica James who is based in Stoke Newington and she links the parenting classes with antenatal yoga classes on a different day which so far have been excellent. This website lists her email as well as lots of other birth class options which might help
[http://birthclass.co.uk/london.htm]

I also know mums who have been to Bridget Baker's classes and have recommended them

generally the NHS ones will be shorter and you don't usually have the opportunity to chat and get to know other new mums to be although they should probably be free

good luck

[Lolis]

Hi I'm due in November too and live in Islington! Also looking for a good antenatal class. Let me know if you find any.

NCT is doing one in Islington in September on two whole Fridays. You have to book super early though and obviously need 2 whole Fridays off work etc.

[Fufulina]

Hi Lolis and Thomasina - I live in Finsbury Park, and also due in November... Will post if I find anything.

All a bit scary, to be fair...

[beforesunrise]

i went to bridget baker. she's in hackney and is very good. she does 2 saturdays and 1 evening class if i remember right, plus bfing workshop for mums and postnatal reunion (which i never made it to, due to extremely colicky baby...)

[HarrietTheSpy]

A few people found her, ahem, firm views quite off putting in our group. She's got definite no-go areas - don't whatever you do, indicate you're thinking of using Gina Ford's routines, she will not hesitate to have a go. I actually thought her advice was quite good, although I agreed her manner can be a bit brusque when someone suggests something she considers a bit 'off piste.' I would consider looking around actually at other recommendations before committing her classes. We went because she had some available on teh Saturday and it was completely booked up in our area.

[HarrietTheSpy]

sorry i was talking about bridget.

[beforesunrise]

harriet we ended up going to bridget for the same reason! i found her good on labour and childbirth- used lots of her techniques in labour. much less helpful for the afterwards (i still remember her firm views on bodysuits which apparently had to have no poppers! so she directed everyone to jl which apparently is the only place that stocks newborn vests... frankly i thought that was a load of rubbish and yes she did instruct people to bin the gina fords etc)

and she defintely completely lost interest in us after baby was born- don't know if she does it with everyone or i was simply not one of her favourites!

would still go back though for the whole labour etc. all in all.

[msstig]

Marslady runs BabyMoon antenatal classes in Muswell Hill if that's not too far....I'm sure she'd be very happy to chat over options with you. There's a website at www.thebabymoon.co.uk

[thomasina1]

Thanks everyone. To be honest my main incentive for going is to meet other parents locally as a lot of our friends don't have children yet. I'm going to wait until my first midwife appointement and then see what's available I think. the appeal of NCT is that it seems to be easier to meet others - I think I'll give them a call and see what else they are offering. I also know a few friends locally who went with the NHS ones so once I'm actually able to reveal that I'm preganant (!) I can ask them more about those.

Fufulina and Lois, I'm in N5 actually so between you both probably!

[Lolis]

Cool. Not many of my friends have children yet either - not my age anyway (I'm 27 and all my ex-Uni mates are busy being Very Important People). So I'm hoping to meet other parents too.

I emailed Jessica Jackson and her stuff looks good, but it's quite expensive and you have to go to both the yoga and the antenatal classes. Don't think I'll be able to fit it all in and pay for it.

Let me know if you find any more promising avenues

[Lolis]

I live in N1 by the way

[hertsnessex]

try mars' classes, she isnt too far from you and they are great.

[thelittlestbadger]

I went to the Active Birth Centre which does yoga classes but they also deal with breathing/ positions for labour/ positioning the baby etc. They have quite a lot of classes [www.activebirthcentre.com] and do talk about breast feeding and looking after a newborn baby.

I found them really helpful as the NHS one was a waste of time although it did get DH a bit more involved.

They are also worth having a look at for after the birth as they do various classes for new babies which are quite nice.

[thelittlestbadger]

Sorry www.activebirthcentre. They are based very close to Archway tube so easy to get to from Islington.

[thelittlestbadger]

Try again www.activebirthcentre.com

[glitterbird]

hi

just a note on Jessica James if you are on a budget have a chat with her as she says on her literature that she does not want people to feel excluded from the classes if you can't afford them so if you are keen then its worth asking. Its a lot to commit to but for me its been really good getting to know all the other ladies in the yoga class and then we meet all the partners at the parenting class so you get a real bond, that said there are lots of options in North London so I am sure you will find something to suit your needs