Head engaged - how long before I meet my baby????? 39+4 - Labour and birth

Pixiebell

21/02/2008 at 10:38

Just had my last midwife appointment and she told me the head is fully engaged now. I feel like the baby is sat on my bowels I've got that much pressure down there, even when I sit down I can feel lots of pressure. Anyway, I asked if the baby could 'disengage' since this is my second baby I know that the baby can come back out of the pelvis but she seemed certain that the baby wasn't going to budge now. She's booked to come to my house to do a sweep next Friday if the baby hasn't arrived although she kept saying that this baby will be here before then and the next time she sees me will be to come over and see the baby so I'm just wondering if he is on his way now that his head has engaged? Had my show yesterday so I feel like things are starting to happen but no pains at the moment, only pressure. Does the baby's head engaging usually mean that he is ready to come out because I know with your first baby, that they can engage really early. With my first he didn't even engage and they had to drag him out kicking and screaming when I was 2 weeks over due so I've not experienced this part of pregnancy before?

Lauly

21/02/2008 at 12:27

Hi! I'm 39 wks today and I was told by mw on Monday that my baby's head is now engaged also. I haven't had a show or anything yet! I'm starting to get impatient! Not sure when lo will arrive - just hope its not on the 29th Feb - that would make things complicated for him in the future when he has to give his DOB! With my first baby the head was engaged on the tuesday and I had him on the Friday, so I'm hoping it won't be long now! Love Rachel XXX

speckle

21/02/2008 at 14:24

Hi

Well it doesnt seem like either of you have got long to go now. I was told about 6 days before i gave birth that the head was engaged, i had a two day labour as well so it could be any day for you both. Hope you have enjoyable labours and let us all know how you get on x

Lauly

21/02/2008 at 18:53

Thanks Speckle! I'm really looking forward to meeting my baby now. Can't wait till I'm posting my birth story! Love Rachel XXX

cassi30

21/02/2008 at 20:13

Hi there,
I am due in 2 days time and my baby's head has been engaged for the past 3 weeks! I am going crazy! I felt more uncomfortable 1 week ago than I do now. I think my baby is just going to stay engaged for ages and get fatter and fatter!
Hope all goes well, suppose they will just come when they are ready! I have had my curry tonight again . . . .

9Shelley9

22/02/2008 at 05:33

Hi girls!

I am 41 + 1 today (urghhh...it's horrible!!) Baby's head has been engaged since week 38...but only had my show yesterday! Had a sweep on tuesday, and got another one today...fingers (but not legs crossed) something bloody happens before I go mad!! got induction booked for Monday, so I suppose I know I only have another 3 days to go, just fed up of waiting now!!

Shelley x x

Good luck to you lot though and hope your dont go over!! x

Pixiebell

22/02/2008 at 06:31

From reading these responses I guess it doesn't really make a difference if the baby's heads engage. I suppose I'll just have to accept the fact that he'll arrive when he's ready!!!
Not sure I want a sweep, I've heard they are really painful although I'll do anything now to get things going!!
Shelley - good luck with your sweep today and I hope it kick starts things for you.
I suppose on a positive note we all have only a few weeks left each so we are all going to be meeting our babies soon!!
Good luck everyone!!xxx

Hannahmummyto2 Platinum member

22/02/2008 at 10:24

i dont think it really makes a difference. with my lo she wasnt engaged fully untill 3 hours before i had her x

raul_malik Platinum member

22/02/2008 at 15:59

good luck 2 all you girliez!

Nelli x

shellnbabyb Silver member

16/02/2011 at 09:11

hi everyone, ive just been to the midwife and they sent me for a scan because they thought my baby was breech, i got quite excited because they said i could have him in three weeks but he isnt, am only 36 weeks but the doctor said the babies head is engaged just really hope this means he will come early am so impatient xx

loobylou77 Platinum member

16/02/2011 at 12:15

I was engaged at 38 weeks..........I'm now 41 weeks and still waiting (and been told its not imminent following a couple of internals), so I'm guessing its not a great predictor of when baby will arrive sorry! Hope you are not waiting too much longer. x

Cassandra Leigh Silver member

05/05/2012 at 16:50

KazzieM

06/05/2012 at 11:16

Sadly baby can engage & disengage right up until labour. DD1 engaged at 32wks, stayed engaged but didn't arrive until 41+1. DD2 engaged & disengaged continually until 39+4 when she sent me into labour, sadly she still didn't emerge until 41wks. It's exciting hearing baby has engaged but alas it's not considered one of the signs labour is close.

roxi22

23/05/2012 at 19:50

im 4-5ths of engaged in my pregnancy is this the start or the end of the stage before i go into labour ?

nicky mccafferty Silver member

15/06/2012 at 22:27

my baby head been engaged for 3 weeks and i am now 35 do u think i will go early i have been havin loads of braxton hicks realy strong too and loads of presure x

Emma Cain

21/06/2012 at 20:48

yummy mummy with 2nd Silver member

27/06/2012 at 16:50

im 38 weeks and 2 days pregnant with my second been getting pains for past couple of days now but did not get any pains until i was in labour and was in full labour and nobody knew(midwifes, anyone in hospital) neway i have just got bk from seeing midwife and she said babys head is engaged as i sed ive had pains and felt like i was on a period feeling hot and shitty lol im always tired alately get tightenings and back ache! ive also had loose stools a few times but had no show or owt does anyone know if birthing ball works to get things moving? and how long it will take to get this baby out im sooo fed up and want to start feeling better and be able to do things with my 2 year old little boy o and he was 4 days early does this make a difference does anyone know plzzzzzzzzzzzzzz im losing the will to live!!! lmao

carmen3

19/12/2012 at 13:35

hi all...im 39+4 with my second little girl....im eager to know how quick babys head go from being free to fully engaged, also could i go into labour without head being engaged? i have had a show yet, mind u i didnt even have a show with my first, but ive had extreme pressure down below and braxton hicks coming alot more often and strong just not painful?? im so impatient now and cant wait till shes out....x

KazzieM

19/12/2012 at 14:04

Hi Carmen, it'll depend entirely upon your own baby, my 1st engaged slowly over several wks whilst my 2nd didn't engage at all until I started early labour with her 10days before she was born. Those contractions are designed to help push baby down & help you dilate ready for the birth so them coming stronger/more frequent is a good thing.

caron2

13/01/2013 at 21:02

hi i am 37 weeks pregnant and was sent to hospital yesterday been geting pains in my back and stomech midwife told me that the babys fully engaged and i have dilated a we bit does anyone know rufly how long my baby will make an apperance