November 2012 Due Dates?

Hi awayfromhome :) So we've only done week 1 of antenatal at Healthbay so far and we found it really well paced out and not particularly overwhelming (which was my main concern). You get a nice 20 minute break in the middle for snacks/drinks and to mingle with the others which was really nice. The midwife who does the class is very thorough and allows you to ask as many questions as you like. We originally thought a 3 hour session sounded strangely long and perhaps a bit uncomfortable for me sitting still and in the same chair for that long, but it really went quickly and I cannot wait for the next session already. I have heard good things about the ones at City too, so I guess it depends on whether you want the longer or shorter sessions really. Thanks to you and UmaShamsa re. maternity clothes. I am going to have a good look online this week. UmmShamsa, I've just booked myself in for the massage you recommended for Wednesday - can't wait already. Scan and doctors appt. in the morning, then massage in the afternoon. Brilliant. AlexSwe - I don't think the cofffee mornings are listed more than 1 week ahead, so I am going to look again after Ramadan and see what dates come up for the last week and then I'll definitely be looking to join from the end of the month.

Hi everyone and welcome Nadiadk and Yasmeenism - I am amazed at how many of us there are on here now, it's fantastic. Over the past few weeks I have also been really tense in the passenger seat in the car. My poor husband wonders what on earth is going on when I keep gripping onto the car handle and making eek noises! I am also worried about people bumping into me in the shops and feel like I should be wrapped in bubble wrap or something to protect myself! UmmShamsa - Thanks for the Angsanaspa info, I might book myself in for this week. Sounds lovely and a great price aswell. Hard to find in Dubai. I just thought I would let you know that we started our ante-natal classes last Friday at HealthBay Polyclinic (they're on Al Wasl road). They are 3 hour Friday sessions over a 4 week period. I believe there are also evening sessions available. I must say, I really enjoyed it. Being in a room with all those pregnant ladies was really lovely and we learnt a lot in the session so money well spent. I can't wait for this Friday's session already - birthing positions. It's lovely to share it all with others and husbands too. I am really struggling finding nice maternity clothes. I have tried all the usual suspects - Mothercare, Destination Maternity, H&M etc but it's difficult. Anyone know of anywhere else where they sell them? I am finding myself wearing the same few things all the time now, which isn't a huge problem as I don't work, but it would be nice for my husband and friends to see me in something different once in a while!

Welcome AlexSwe :) Wow, living in Iran must have been very interesting. No wonder you're loving Dubai though, such freedom for us here. So far we haven't all met up as a group, but are hoping to do so at one of the expat woman organised coffee mornings end of August/beginning of September. Hopefully you can come along too, it's going to be so lovely meeting everyone and talk 'baby'. I thought I would add in my bit about prams. We were so confused when we were looking and I found it really stressful. I then decided to work out firstly what I needed, rather than what looked good and what I wanted. I then went into Mothercare and they showed me a few options, were really clear explaining things and we limited it down to the Mothercare Spin and the Mothercare My4. We ended up going for the My4, which they've actually now discontinued (so we got it at a reduced price) mainly because the basket on the My4 is much bigger and the handle comes up higher for when my tall husband needs to push the pram. I really liked the Spin though and it's lightweight and folds up pretty small. I've heard a lot about Bugaboo and Quinny from friends in the UK, and probably would have gone for one of them had I not found the My4. I think a lot of it is down to how you feel pushing it, folding it down etc. Really get involved when you look in the shop and imagine using it every day. Louve - I hope your check up went well and you managed to get a good picture of baby. You said about your hormones, mine have been quite up and down over the past week and i've been crying at tv programmes that you really shouldn't be crying at! Actually I have been feeling a bit sick past couple of days aswell and am hoping that this isn't something that I am going to feel throughout the remainder of the pregnancy (they do say that the third trimester can be similar to the first trimester and I am nearly there as I turn 28 weeks on Saturday). Awayfromhome - hope you're having a great time in the UK and resting up lots too. Are you going to buy many bits in the UK? They're so much cheaper than here. I got a few clothes, baby monitor, breast pump and blankets whilst I was there and wish I'd now bought more. Hope everyone is doing well.

Hi Scratch and UmmShamsa - thanks for your opinions on the isofix, I hadn't (naively perhaps) thought about small parking spaces, the baby crying etc. I am thinking so practically in some ways and then just not thinking in other ways, so it's definitely good to get your opinions as you've both been there already with your first borns, so it's all great information for us newbies.

UmmShamsa - good to have you on here. It's nice to know we can ask you anything as you've been through this before :) How lovely that your second baby will also be a November baby like your first. Really sorry but I don't know about the adaptor for the car (for Bugaboo and Maxicosi). I have a My4 pram and maxicosi carseat, but not even planning on buying an isofix for the car until after the baby is born. Maxicosi's are really easy to strap into the car, so I might just do that instead of buying an isofix. aurora06 - I don't have any cravings at all, just eating lots of bread still and needing, yes needing, chocolate! I'm tempted to try out your peanut butter and banana sandwich on toasted brown bread just for the fun of it :) scratch - really good to hear your opinions and experience on the inlaws, I've definitely taken on board what you've said. It's going to be such a new experience having a little one around and even though all help will be appreciated, some privacy and respect is definitely still needed.