39 weeks and not engaged?

cath_x · Sep 29th, 2010, 09:38 AM

Had a miserable antenatal appointment yesterday where there were already concerned looks between the two midwives when they found out that my little one was still head down, but free floating and not engaged yet

.

I didn't think they'd start worrying at all for now, especially since there was some confusion initially between my dates, scan places me at the 5th Oct, but my original date was the 11th.

They were already talking about possible induction, and when that would happen. It's something I really don't want, particularly since I'm desperate for a home birth.

She's also back to back which is a bit of a nightmare

Is it fairly normal for her not to have engaged yet? Also, is she more likely to be able to turn into an anterior position if she's not engaged?

Don't know why it's upset me so much, but it has - I wasn't at all stressed until after that appointment. Could really use some reassurance please

RileysMummy · Sep 29th, 2010, 09:39 AM

sorry i cant help xx

Kaz1977 · Sep 29th, 2010, 09:42 AM

Although most babies do engage before labour (in 1st pg), that doesn't mean all of them do. Babies will engage when they are ready and often that means not until you go into labour.

As for back to back, yes this isn't great (mine is too) and spending lots of time on a birth ball, no slouching on the sofa and lots of time on your hands and knees can help. In fact it is good that your LO is not engaged so you have a better chance of getting them into a better position before they engage. Many babies are posterior before labour but most turn themselves during labour.

SwissMiss · Sep 29th, 2010, 09:45 AM

Don't think Lindsey engaged til I was over 40wks tbh

Like the others have said, esp with 1st babies, some don't until you go into labour! I'd def recommend the ball (I used to sit on mine and bounce instead of the sofa) if she's back to back, I think that's the bigger 'problem' of the two 'cause 'star gazer' babies are harder to deliver. Don't worry hon, you've got time yet!

sept2010 · Sep 29th, 2010, 09:51 AM

its my first...my baby wasn't engaged at 39 weeks...and is engaged now at 40+ weeks...its not uncommon so many women have had this issue with LO not engaging...but dont worry when he/she is ready head will engage xx

cath_x · Sep 29th, 2010, 10:44 AM

That gives me some hope - I'd just assumed that with her being my first, she would engage earlier than this, guess it just hadn't dawned on me how late on in the day this was

Does the birth ball encourage them to turn around into an anterior position then? I've been thinking to use mine for getting her to engage, but didn't think about using it for turning her?

Kay0102 · Sep 29th, 2010, 13:30 PM

I went yesterday and bubs isnt engaged she just said that if my waters went I would need to go straight to hosp and tell them baby is free
She said I can still very much go into labour at anytime
And then following on from that she has booked to see me again in 2 weeks!! not 1?!?
So I will then be overdue so has said if bubs is engaged at that one she will give me a sweep (they can only do them if they are engaged)
She never mentioned anything about induction
Hope this helps hunny

xx

Mrs_N · Sep 29th, 2010, 14:06 PM

My baby had been 3/5ths at 39 weeks and then yesterday at 40 weeks was totally free.
I was also upset, but it actually doesn't make a huge amount of difference as to when you'll go into labour - it can still happen at any time.
As for being back to back, baby's head being free works in your favour as they are more likely to turn with a free head

Today mine had bobbed back down to 3/5ths so they can go in & out!
It's also my first by the way.

cath_x · Sep 30th, 2010, 01:58 AM

Thanks guys, not feeling quite so unsettled about it all

now

Sep 29th, 2010, 09:38 AM	#1
cath_x Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 208	39 weeks and not engaged? Had a miserable antenatal appointment yesterday where there were already concerned looks between the two midwives when they found out that my little one was still head down, but free floating and not engaged yet. I didn't think they'd start worrying at all for now, especially since there was some confusion initially between my dates, scan places me at the 5th Oct, but my original date was the 11th. They were already talking about possible induction, and when that would happen. It's something I really don't want, particularly since I'm desperate for a home birth. She's also back to back which is a bit of a nightmare Is it fairly normal for her not to have engaged yet? Also, is she more likely to be able to turn into an anterior position if she's not engaged? Don't know why it's upset me so much, but it has - I wasn't at all stressed until after that appointment. Could really use some reassurance please

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Sep 29th, 2010, 09:39 AM	#2
RileysMummy Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 9,682	sorry i cant help xx

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Sep 29th, 2010, 09:42 AM	#3
Kaz1977 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 493	Although most babies do engage before labour (in 1st pg), that doesn't mean all of them do. Babies will engage when they are ready and often that means not until you go into labour. As for back to back, yes this isn't great (mine is too) and spending lots of time on a birth ball, no slouching on the sofa and lots of time on your hands and knees can help. In fact it is good that your LO is not engaged so you have a better chance of getting them into a better position before they engage. Many babies are posterior before labour but most turn themselves during labour.

Status: Offline

Sep 29th, 2010, 09:45 AM	#4
SwissMiss Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bern, Switzerland Posts: 4,371	Don't think Lindsey engaged til I was over 40wks tbh Like the others have said, esp with 1st babies, some don't until you go into labour! I'd def recommend the ball (I used to sit on mine and bounce instead of the sofa) if she's back to back, I think that's the bigger 'problem' of the two 'cause 'star gazer' babies are harder to deliver. Don't worry hon, you've got time yet!

Status: Offline

Sep 29th, 2010, 09:51 AM	#5
sept2010 Pregnant (Expecting) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 1,319	its my first...my baby wasn't engaged at 39 weeks...and is engaged now at 40+ weeks...its not uncommon so many women have had this issue with LO not engaging...but dont worry when he/she is ready head will engage xx

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Sep 29th, 2010, 10:44 AM	#6
cath_x Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 208	That gives me some hope - I'd just assumed that with her being my first, she would engage earlier than this, guess it just hadn't dawned on me how late on in the day this was Does the birth ball encourage them to turn around into an anterior position then? I've been thinking to use mine for getting her to engage, but didn't think about using it for turning her?

Status: Offline

Sep 29th, 2010, 13:30 PM	#7
Kay0102 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Lancashire Posts: 513	I went yesterday and bubs isnt engaged she just said that if my waters went I would need to go straight to hosp and tell them baby is free She said I can still very much go into labour at anytime And then following on from that she has booked to see me again in 2 weeks!! not 1?!? So I will then be overdue so has said if bubs is engaged at that one she will give me a sweep (they can only do them if they are engaged) She never mentioned anything about induction Hope this helps hunny xx

Status: Offline

Sep 29th, 2010, 14:06 PM	#8
Mrs_N Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 5,078	My baby had been 3/5ths at 39 weeks and then yesterday at 40 weeks was totally free. I was also upset, but it actually doesn't make a huge amount of difference as to when you'll go into labour - it can still happen at any time. As for being back to back, baby's head being free works in your favour as they are more likely to turn with a free head Today mine had bobbed back down to 3/5ths so they can go in & out! It's also my first by the way.

Status: Offline

Sep 30th, 2010, 01:58 AM	#9
cath_x Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 208	Thanks guys, not feeling quite so unsettled about it all now

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