Engaging?

[Kazzo]

Just after some experiences/stories of anyone who has had a second or subsequent baby and that their babies head completely engaged early.

I was told today at my appointment that they will be suprised if bubs does not arrive within the week, two weeks at the most because bubs head is firmly engaged. That since this is my 3rd my body will respond sooner to this.

Most 2nd or subsequent babies don't engage till labour is what I was told. That was correct with DD2 for me.
This time I have been getting prelabour pains too, never any with DD1 and only on the day I went into labour with DD2.

So anything like how long after your bubs engaged did you actually go into labour would help just to give me some idea.

[~Hestia~]

My 2nd was engaged well before labour! I can't remember the exact week but my midwife did comment that I wouldn't go to my EDD. I had stacks of prelabour that drove me crazy until he arrived about 10 days early.

[Ladylove]

DD was engaged from a few weeks before her due date and despite her being my first my OB said she would be surprised if I went beyond my due date.... Then she was a week late!

[Kazzo]

Thanks Hestia, I am hoping bubs stays happily engaged for another 2.5 weeks at least.

Thanks Ladylove, My DD1 was engaged just before 40wks but arrived at 41wks. DD2 not till labour and I was expecting that again I guess.

I know everyone, every pregnancy and every baby is different. Just trying to get my head around the possibility of an early arrival after two 41 weekers.

[~Hestia~]

It's amazing how different they are, my first didn't engage at all, not until my waters broke while I was in labour!

[RayLou]

My doc told me 2 days back that the baby is presenting, or moving towards the pelvic cavity and is 2/5ths in! I'm so relieved I can breathe better now!

[ladybirdflies]

my third baby engaged early and was born 7 days early. your bub knows you want it to stay put, so it will probably come early!!! hehe

[Kazzo]

So I should start the reverse pshycology on the baby now then .

[ladybirdflies]

You can try.... but like you said yesterday, this is a rolling with whatever happens pregnancy! Who knows what this little one has up it's sleeve!?!?! THis is the first time I have wanted to go a little later, we'll see!!

[Kazzo]

Your so right, it is funny how I have this ideal in my head about how everything should be and how it should go and when it can happen and really none of that is up to me.

I know this, it is my 3rd time and yet I don't really know.

[ladybirdflies]

i can't get over the deep surrender that is required with every baby, just when you think you have let go, the next one sheds the light on your ability to let go again!

[Cassius2]

DD2 only engaged the evening before labour.

DD3 engaged on and off from 30 weeks. i went into preterm labour with her at 34 weeks. but that was when she wasnt engaged hahaha.

She popped back down around 36 weeks and had a bit of a looksie, then popped back out a few days later and stayed that way until I was in established labour at 39w3d.

It is the case that an engaged baby can make conditions favourable, but i like to think that it is not necessarily a hard and fast indicator. especially for subsequent babies as they do tend to be quite mobile in the pelvis. was there any movement in the pelvis at all?? or was she securely locked and loaded? sometimes they can be engaged but still mobile ITMS.

[Kazzo]

The midwife could not wriggle bubs head at all. Locked and loaded were the words she used

Like I said before this is the first time I have been getting prelabour too. Definatley a different pregnancy to the last two but hey, it has been that way since the very beginning so why not right till the end.

I did pack a hospital bag and played pretend to help mummy get organised with DD1 now. I have SIL, bestie and my dad all on standbye just in case too. I still feel I have a few weeks though.

[beansbeans!]

oooh how very exciting Kazzo
All three girls engaged at the same time, with dd1 being born at 38wks, dd2 and dd3 both at 41wks and a couple of days. So I think dd1 engaged, a couple of days before, and the other two were engaged for a couple of weeks.
But my thinking has always been the more organised you are the more likely bub will stay put

[Cassius2]

locked and loaded is definitely a step up to simply engaged IMHO. i agree with beans...best to pack and be ready so that way nothing will happen

[Kazzo]

As of today I am all prepared so by your wise words bubs will stay snuggled up nicely now

[Kazzo]

Haha, today is two weeks from when the MF told me one to two weeks at the most. Shows what she knows DH is home on Saturday. Like I always thought, he will be here for me and The Stowaways arrival. No matter how engaged bubs is they are comfy and I think I will still go over. my money is on the 22nd or 23rd.

[Cassius2]

you are doing so well!!