Lets talk about...Baby Engaging...

[Winter]

Righto, had my 38 week Ob appointment today and baby is still floating. I am going for a VBAC and Ob has been really good about not even mentioning a dreaded C/S or anything, he's just leaving it all up to Mother Nature and has a wait & see approach which I am liking a lot. But he off-handedly said that he would like to see bubs engage and he would be more optomistic about vaginal birth if that happens.

I am squatting, I am sitting on the fit ball, I am doing belly time, I almost killed myself running up a hill this evening in the hopes of getting bubs down into my pelvis. What more can I do??

So...please.....Give me some great stories about your beautiful births where bubs engaged at the last minute....pretty please....

[Taurean]

Hi hon! Can't believe you're 38 weeks already!!! Maybe that catchup will have to wait, lol

I may be wrong but isn't it common for second and subsequent babies to not engage until labour starts? DD was only 2/5 engaged at the absolute best but she engaged fine when labour started (or was established) and we had a brilliant, albeit painful posterior vaginal birth.

I SO hope you get your VBAC hon. I have everything crossed (or should it be 'uncrossed'? ) for you

[diva det]

my bubs engaged whilst in labour!
i had a vbac too- he was my 2nd labour
good luck and plenty of time
btw i was told that i would struggle to have a vbac as bubs was going to be too big
at 37+5, he decided that it was time and came out after a very easy labour with no probs at 8lb!
so yeah he would have been big if i went 40 weeks, but i didnt and my body totally knew what to do at its own time
trust your body and trust your instincts!!
good luck

[jackrose]

I may be wrong but isn't it common for second and subsequent babies to not engage until labour starts?

I also thought this was the case and I'm pretty sure my baby didn't engage until she was ready to arrive.

I'll be sending you lots of VB vibes.

[Alan]

It is not unusual for baby not to engage until labour starts

[Arimeh]

Read my birth story again

Her head was still mobile and floating while I was in labour - started pushing 2.5 hours after that!!

[~Hestia~]

Oooh not long to go

Moo never engaged, not until my water broke and I'd been having contractions for quite some time. I was in hospital by that stage and 8cms dilated. My midwife said he wouldn't engage as I had so much fluid so this is what we expected to happen.

Good luck, can't wait to hear a BA!

[KimB]

Winter I just went through a VBAC and bubs didn't engage until I was in established labour. Tell your dr to back off and let it happen naturally and I can only advise you to try to relax and not stress about it. I was having some trouble letting go while in labour and then a midwife went off at me and within 10 minutes was pushing lol. Hope it goes well for you xxx

[Tegam]

my first engaged at 34weeks...not nice, number 2 and 3 didnt enage til labour...number 4 4 days before birth...

you are doing everying right!

happy birthing!

[luna moth]

Go for a swim. It is possibly a full coincidence, but I walked to the pool, swam 30 laps, then walked home at 41 weeks, and within 24 hours, my belly just dropped. Baby also shifted to ROA.

Worth a try?

[Tegam]

Go for a swim. It is possibly a full coincidence, but I walked to the pool, swam 30 laps, then walked home at 41 weeks, and within 24 hours, my belly just dropped. Baby also shifted to ROA.

Worth a try?

30 lapssss you are insane!

[OceanPrincess]

My second didn't engage either.

Winter, your little snowflake is almost here! Wow!!! All the best xx

[Winter]

My first didn't engage either OP so I am really hoping that this one finally does!!

Yeah, not long to go now...Please, please dont be overdue!!!

[onthefly]

Try not to think of the EDD as a line in the sand - it's just an estimate! It'll be soon, very soon... and then you can lace up your joggers and go for a run

[Winter]

It is a line in the sand MadB!! Baby & I have discussed this, well I have loudly told it that I want it to engage & get out! Monday is eviction day! I don't want to hear you whispering any subversive "stay in there where its nice & comfy" messages to bubs, ok?!

[MissM]

I was told at my check up last week not to be alarmed if DD2 doesnt engage until I'm actually IN labour. Ya learn something knew everyday

Hope all goes well and you dont go over!

[~clover~]

Neither of my middle 2 engaged til labour. Didn't even start to drop. Both were also in awkward positions for labour, which is just a reminder to keep active

Hoping bubs does start to head down soonish though, even if just to keep doc happy

[onthefly]

Never fear, I'm desperately impatient too
One of my midwives recommended this:
Pick a date (done). Get a pen and piece of paper and write it down: I clearly see myself birthing my baby on Monday. (you can add details if you want, like "my 10 pound baby" or whatever). Say it out loud and visualise it. (just pretend you're a hippy for a minute)
Put the piece of paper under your pillow and add another each night till you have your baby on Monday.
She reckoned it worked in around 80% of her clients.