Helping bubs engage...little advice

Ok you'd think that by baby no.4 Id have this down pat but nope!! lol!!

Had my ob appt yesterday who has told me that although bubs has moved down he hasnt engaged yet.....(.Im 37 + 1 btw).....

What I want to know is if there is any way I could help him along to get him engaged? And would it be too early to start trying to do this? He is also lying slightly `oblique' (my obs words)..meaning that he is on a slight diagonal as opposed to straight up and down!

Ive heard that bouncing on a fit ball can help in getting him in in position, and getting on all fours can help too..just want to know if its too early to start doing this?

Im determined to do all I can to avoid a medical induction as I had one with my last bubs as she was post dates, and it was horrendous, so I want labour to start naturally this time, and not to go over my dates too far, IYKWIM.

Any advice would be appreciated :)

While first babies usually engage at about 36 weeks, subsequent babies often float around in the pelvis a bit longer and may not even engage until labour is imminent, so don't read too much into it at this stage.

If you want to influence it, walking up stairs, and lunges (taking care of your back of course) can help encourage the baby, as can circling your hips. Generally any kind of movement whilst widening the pelvic outlet will help.

Hi, sorry, I'm not usually in this thread but saw your post as I was looking for where I wanted to go! Hope you don't mind me sticking my nose in!

If you spend some time each day (around 15 mins, although its hard to stay that long) on your hands & knees, knees slightly apart, this opens up your pelivs & helps give bubs enough room to get into the right position. It's helped me & others I know!

But don't worry, with my last pregnancy, my daughter didn't engage until about 1 minute before my waters broke! I felt her push down & then whoosh! Just like that! ;)

Also, have you tried raspberry leaf tea? my first was 2 weeks overdue & I didn't use the tea, but my second arrived right on time & I was using the tea. Probably a coincidence though!

If you're worried about inductions, do you know that you are able to refuse an induction as long as bubs is doing fine & you are happy for the hospital to monitor you everyday? Just thought I'd let you know as I wasn't aware of this etther until a helpful (male!) midwife told me duringmy 2nd pregnancy.

Good luck!

Natasha

Oh yeah I know I can refuse an induction if bubs is fine but Id rather not go over my dates for the simple reason of being over it!!! lol!! But Id rather bring things on myself rather than resorting to synto or the prosti gel.

TBH I hadnt even heard of using RLT until I came onto here! But its certainly something Ill be trying, probably start next week when Im at the 38 week mark.....and thats interesting about bubs not being engaged until sometimes right up til the last minute as it were....I always thought bubs being engaged was a stimulant to labour starting (ie....labour didnt happen until engagement happened) so thats why I asked the question...well you learn something everyday!! lol!!!

Ha! yes, I've learn't a lot too just being on here talking to others.

With the RLT, you need to build up the amount you drink over time - they generally recommend from 36 weeks, starting with 1 cup a day & building up to around 4 by the end. Tastes pretty interesting too :)

Have fun!

Hi Demongrrl
Its true, some babies do not engage until labour starts, however if you want to push things along have toy thought of trying Rebozo? This is a technique that can be used to help position your baby it can also be used during labour. It would probably be easier for you to google it than for me to fully explain it here.