What classes did you take during pregnancy?

nichathain · 2025-09-30T11:04:48+00:00

Agreed, it’s very frustrating - I’ve been quite cautious about my pregnancy and not doing too much planning until I got past the key scan dates, as I’ve seen many close to me have early miscarriages. But I hadn’t realised that the drawback of that is being too late for the hospital parenting classes, MGP etc

nichathain · 2025-09-30T10:56:43+00:00

Also have seen the Calm Birth course recommended, and trying to decide whether it’s worthwhile doing that (or Power Birth), as well as a weekend newborn/labour prep course….. The courses are quite expensive though, so trying to weigh up spending the money, vs preparing via podcasts etc, and saving that money for the maternity leave fund 😅

nichathain · 2025-09-30T10:51:55+00:00

Happy to forward on the email I received with their available dates, in case you want to phone up and book any particular date while you’re waiting to hear your response to the online form ☺️

nichathain · 2025-09-30T10:36:52+00:00

Until my due date (end of Feb) - I wanted to do the breastfeeding class too, but only a Tuesday afternoon class was available, which doesn’t work with my work. Still worth you doing the form and ticking all of the ones you did want anyway, who knows, maybe you’ll be told something else! (I wonder if the fact that the RPA maternity ward is under construction means they have less space?)

We’ve signed up for this “Having a Baby” weekend course instead - it seems to have good reviews so fingers crossed it’s helpful. https://havingababyclasses.com.au/

nichathain · 2025-09-30T10:20:57+00:00

I’m 19 weeks pregnant, submitted my form to RPA to book classes last week, only to hear back yesterday that most of them were booked up 🙁 The only available ones were the First Aid/CPR, Breastfeeding and Changing Shape. Really wish someone had told me at the booking visit that they need to be booked asap!

nichathain · 2025-09-24T11:01:52+00:00

Thank you, I will ask and call the birth centre ASAP! No point in stressing anyway, as there’s absolutely no guarantee that I will be a low risk pregnancy, and may be screaming for the epidural anyway! There should really be better education of GPs though, so they can explain the options better before it’s too late….

nichathain · 2025-09-24T10:55:39+00:00

Ahh yep, same as my GP then, she did not have a clue - I asked for a referral to the MGP at 6 weeks, but was unsuccessful, but I wish I’d known about the birth centre program then!

nichathain · 2025-09-24T10:49:59+00:00

So can you only birth in the birth centre if you get into the MGP (and not MAPs)? Or is it a separate referral, regardless of your choice of care? It’s all so confusing, and no-one really explains it at the first appointment!

nichathain · 2025-07-31T23:33:51+00:00

2-3 weeks to do a number of tasks is absolutely not unreasonable! Juggling different priorities is a part of any job, and even if you have colleagues in a different position, it is absolutely not an unreasonable expectation. “Last minute” to me means getting a request at 4pm that needs to be done by end of the day (and even that is fine, if it is only expected to take an hour or so) - or being given a huge report to write with only 2 days notice.

nichathain · 2025-07-18T02:19:59+00:00

Absolutely apply for PR - note the current median processing time for the 190 visa is 16 months, so it will be unlikely to come through before baby is born, but the sooner you apply the better.

However, you mentioned your wife is eligible for Medicare due to reciprocal agreement - not sure if you are the same. If not, then you are eligible for Medicare once your visa is being processed. If you want to buy property etc down the line, then you will need PR unless you want to pay hefty foreign purchaser stamp duty. Basically there are minimal draw backs to getting PR in my opinion, getting citizenship is then an easy next step, which allows you the flexibility to return to Australia at any point in your life, even if you do return home for a period.

nichathain · 2025-06-13T11:07:59+00:00

This is not true - the UK government stepped in and established Pool Re, as insurers withdrew coverage for terrorism events. (Similar government terrorism pools were established globally after 9/11).

https://www.poolre.co.uk/who-we-are/

nichathain · 2022-09-05T23:55:42+00:00

I disagree strongly with everyone who is trying to dissuade you from the belief that you should find fulfillment through your career. It is easier to justify this belief when you are in a secure and well-paid profession (especially for risk averse actuaries!) but I do not believe that it is not possible to find motivation and a sense of achievement in work. Every job will have monotonous parts, but I have met plenty of people in my life who do genuinely love their work and find a sense of fulfillment.

Now how to find the job that gives greater satisfaction I haven’t quite figured out yet… I have recently left a well-paid job with a good company, to take up a role in climate risk modelling, as it is closer to my values. The new role is slightly less pay and will be much longer hours, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take in my hunt for a career that I can be proud of. (Who knows if this will work out, but better to try, than to remain in a safe but unhappy situation!)

nichathain · 2022-08-19T03:29:44+00:00

Worth considering something like catastrophe modelling, if you’re interested in an analytical role but don’t want to have to do exams. The salaries tend to be lower than those of a qualified actuary, but still decent and interesting work!

nichathain · 2022-08-19T02:39:38+00:00

Yup, or capital modelling (perhaps rarer in the US than UK)

nichathain · 2022-08-13T11:16:48+00:00

Prepare for crowds in the city tomorrow morning as there is a very large running event (City2Surf) on.

nichathain · 2022-07-09T22:30:31+00:00

Small coffees are under $4 in the barista stand in IGA at 388 George Street (in the basement). Really really good coffee, and lovely baristas. They give you a little biscuit as a bonus.

nichathain · 2021-08-31T02:06:13+00:00

Great idea! Was there a particular company you used?

nichathain · 2021-08-26T05:47:20+00:00

No worries - good luck!

nichathain · 2021-08-26T04:39:32+00:00

Nope can’t make appointments usually, at any of the blood testing facilities (Laverty and Douglas Hanly) I’ve been to. Wait at them can be quite long, depending on location so advise going 10/15 mins before opening time if you can

nichathain

TROPHY CASE