thread: "Resting on cervix" vs engaged

  1. #1

    May 2008
    Melbourne, Vic
    8,631

    "Resting on cervix" vs engaged

    Hoping someone can assist with this question...

    I had an ultrasound on Friday to check size and well-being and along with confirming bubs is head down, the sonographer told me her back is facing out (good) but also that her head is "nice and low, in fact resting on your cervix".

    So she's in a good position for birth (please stay there little girl) but I'm not sure if I'm engaged or not.

    Does her head resting on my cervix mean engaged? What's the difference?

    I know being engaged is when baby moves down into the pelvis, but is her head resting on my cervix the same thing?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jul 2008
    summer street
    2,708

    I had the same question when my midwife said the head was well down. Her response was that everyone has such a different interpretation of the meaning of the word "engaged" that she doesn't use it anymore. She said as long as the head was down, then all is looking good.

    Louisa had her head on my cervix for a couple of weeks before I went into labour. You'll start getting those lovely electric shocks into your nether-regions soon as your cervix thins. I honestly thought I had pinched a nerve they were so intense.

    I know that doesn't answer your question, but at least you can relax and enjoy the fact your bubba is so clever at positoning itself!!!

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Apr 2008
    4,427

    I have been having that electric shock type feeling since last night. DP and I weer sitting on the couch and I almost jumped off the couch after feeling a shooting pain through my hooha!!!

    Even DP jumped up and said "what happened"??? The pain was very sharp and took my breath away for a few seconds and then took about 30sec to completely subside.

    I have had a few more pains like that today but not as fierce as the one last night!

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    6,900

    Ouch, it's the worst isn't it!!

  5. #5

    May 2008
    Melbourne, Vic
    8,631

    Interesting, thanks ladies!

    I get so frustrated by people telling me I'm "still carrying high" and "its going to be a bit longer". So I started telling them that her head is right down as low as it can go, to shut people up!

    Just wondering how accurate it was...

    I have started having pains down there but nothing that I'd describe as an electric shock!

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Add Evie76 on Facebook

    Jan 2007
    SA
    1,086

    Not long to go OP.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    outer South East Melbourne
    2,881

    Don't really know. Don't worry about people saying you are carrying high. My bub didn't drop visibly until the day I went into labour. I'd had my OB appt on the Friday and was not fully engaged & had the bub on the Monday afternoon at 38/4. You just never know when it might happen.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    Melbourne
    3,660

    Grinding the cervix is major ouchies!!!
    Not too much longer. Don't stress about the difference, if the head is down it is likely to stay down and bub will come when she is ready.
    Good luck with impending labour and birth and the arrival of your sweet baby girl.

    Also - WRT the ultrasound, your OB should be able to tell you where he thinks baby is positioned. Using an u/s to determine position, to me sounds very uneducated. Hun, you know your body, you tell us what you think! My boy didn't 'engage' until the day I went into labour...

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Nov 2006
    BrisVegas
    1,467

    Sorry but this made me laugh. I remember walking through a shopping centre and experiencing the same shock, I almost fell to the ground letting out a ohhhhh. One man walking past yelled, OMG her waters have broken, very funny, I think we were both as embarrassed as each other..... Oh memories of being pregnant, thanks for the reminder...

  10. #10

    May 2008
    Melbourne, Vic
    8,631

    I've definitely started getting the electric shock feelings!! Meluchja, don't apologise, the same thing has almost happened to me - but not quite

    Cookie - the Obs had already determined she was head down before I went to the scan... I said to my DH last night that she feels like she's ready to come out. Not tomorrow, but I think its only going to be a few more weeks.

    Who knows? I am a first time mum after all - I could be way off

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Nov 2007
    50

    I've been getting those elecric shock type pains as well but mostly only when I get up to walk somewhere. It feels like a really sharp stabbing type pain right about where the cervix should be. It stops me in my tracks normally - very ouchy.

    I feel as though my bub has moved down in my pelvis too. I can feel him moving down low now where as I couldn't before.