3rd Baby and Not Engaged at 38.5 weeks

[Nikki87]

As the title suggests, I'm 38w4d and baby has not started to engage at all. Doctor said she is very low but hasnt started the engagement process.

Guess I'm just trying to find out if anyone else has had this and still had baby by there due date? I went 5 days early with both my other kids and having had a miscarriage just before Christmas, there is only technically 10 days that I haven't been pregnant since October last year I just want my baby ...

What are my chances of going into labour soon if baby is not engaged one bit??

[Trillian]

It's completely normal for subsequent babies to not engage until just before labour starts or sometimes not even until labour has started. They generally have more room in there with everything already being stretched that they can move up an down quite easily. But the chances of baby being born on or by the due date is no greater than any other woman - I know it's hard when you've been a few days early before, but it's also just as likely that you will even go past 40wks. Baby being engaged or not won't affect this.

[MissM]

^^great words right there!! Perhaps go for a long walk near your due date to encourage labour.

Try not to stress yourself xo

[Peekaboo]

None of my babies have engaged before labour started. I went 10 days over with my first, 9 days early with my second, 6 days early with my third.

[Cassius2]

my DD3 didnt engage until labour started. my waters broke before labour and i had to just check for cord prolapse and be able to recognise the signs etc. i reckon if you havent already just get some quick tips in case you do have SROM etc.

once my waters broke my IM recommended walking up stairs etc to get her to come down. i didnt have stairs so made them with my other kids step stools

so yeah not engaging is totally normal. your body has gone through the process of labour and birth before by the sounds of it so it will do its thang even without bubs engaging.

[Nikki87]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I've been feeling really disheartened by it, so your words have taken some of the burden off

Thanks again x

[Taurean]

DD2 didn't engage until 3 days before I went into spontaneous labour at home at 38+4. Like others have said, it's quite common for second and subsequent babies not to engage until labour begins.

DD1 was also a spontaneous labour (my waters broke at home with both girls) but at 38+5

Good luck. Hopefully your LO will surprise you soon!