Head not very engaged at 38 weeks

[wannabewillow]

Hiya, I'm now at the 38 week mark. Went to the madwife earlier and baby's head still 4/5 palpable. I'm well miffed because I was feeling really heavy in my pelvis and thought I was getting close... apparently not. Is anyone else at the 38 week mark and not properly engaged? to all

 

[loopdido]

Is this your first baby? some 2nd or 3rd babies don't engage until labour actually starts, but 1st babies should be going down any time from 36 weeks. your bubs is heading in the right direction, and could suddenly fully engage over the next couple of weeks. If your mw or doc were concerned they will check if your babies head does fit into your pelvis.

Keep squatting and sitting upright with knees apart and above hips. this will open your pelvis to allow baby to drop further.

 

[Mrs Muffin]

Sorry I don't anything useful to say but the "madwife" made me laugh!

 

[ellie1275]

I think you can go from 4/5 to 1/5 in a day so I really wouldnt worry honey. Some babies bob in and out even if it is your first. plus if you baby is spine to spine it will prob only get to 3/5 or 2/5 before labour! it all depends on the position, amount of space and each pregnancy is different! dont be disheartened though as my friend wasnt engaged at all and then 3 days after her belly dropping she gave birth (and it was her first and she was 38 weeks!) so anything is possible!!!

 

[chickie_115]

I'm a little confused.... I thought 4/5 was almost fully engaged??? I'm not engaged at all yet

 

[aly888]

chickie_115 - 4/5 palpable means the midwife (or 'madwife', if you prefer ) can still feel 4/5 of the babies head, therefore it's only 1/5 engaged!

wannabewillow - im 37 +1 weeks and my babies head is still totally free!! I have been reading into it etc etc (coz i thought by now she should be at least a little bit engaged) but it's not unheard of for a baby to stay free until labour begins, so thats what I am relying on!!

 

[loopdido]

I'm a little confused.... I thought 4/5 was almost fully engaged??? I'm not engaged at all yet

Depends how your midwife is recording it, whether she is saying 4/5s palpable - meaning she can feel 4/5 of the babies head above the pelvic brim, or if they are saying 4/5 engaged. They usually record how many fifths are palpable though.

mine went from 5/5 Thursday, 4/5 Saturday morning, to 2/5 palpable today.....

 

[Love Bunny]

I wouldn't worry too much as someone else said - sometimes they don't engage until the last minute! Guess they just wanna be comfy until then! =D xX

 

[chickie_115]

Aaah I see thanks girlies

 

[2012bebe]

mine is also still free but mine is the 3rd one so i'm not worry at all

 

[Duffy]

I would recommend some pevic exercises to help your baby get ingaged, squats um walking help too, look it up on the net and you will find great ways to help the process! Lots of hon.

 

[321mummy2b]

Hiya, Jayden was 3/5th engaged until i went into active labour and he is my first and only don't worry hun xx​

 

[sweetlullaby]

This is my first and at 37 weeks (last thursday) the midwife said that babys head is at the brim just starting to engage type thing :shrugs: im not to bothered as others have said some babies dont engage until labour itself and some engage in a matter of days etc!

I wouldnt worry too much our LO's will come when they're ready xx

 

[staycutee]

some babies just dont engage before labour. im overdue and he still isnt engaged

 

[wannabewillow]

Thanks everyone, really appreciate the feedback. I'm not too worried now that I know plenty of us haven't engaged yet. Partially relieved as it gives me time to swing round so it's not back to back for the labour. Good luck and hugs to all xxxx

 

[Faerie]

My midwife told me I wasn't fully engaged (she said I was 3/5), and two days later when I had the scan they said I was, so they don't get it right all the time anyway!