1/5 engaged at 38 weeks?

[nataliekristin]

I thought by this stage the baby would be more than 1/5 engaged! is itnormal at this stage for a first time pregnancy? I'm feeling sharp stabbing pains below in the last few days, which I thought were indicative of nearing labour but only a 1/5 engaged I'm a bit disheartened!

[Showy]

Why are you disheartened? How engaged the baby is means nothing really.

My first baby was fixed and engaged 5/5 at 31 weeks. She wasn't born until 8 weeks later at 39 weeks. All it meant was that I was bloody uncomfortable and experiencing quite a lot of low down, sharp pain.

My second didn't engage at all and I still went into labour.

A normal pregnancy is between 37 and 42 weeks and it's quite unpredictable. Please don't feel disheartened. You're having a lovely baby and they're happily growing. That's a wonderful thing you're doing. Chin up. In a few weeks' max, you'll have the most breath taking person in your life.

[greenlizard]

No idea but I am exactly the same! Googling has illuminated me much on this subject - some babies only engage when labour starts and some will move down into the pelvis way before then and some will bob up and down! I have had mild period like pains for a few days but that can go on for weeks so don't think it means anything.

Only one way to find out...

[PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom]

It means nothing and you still have potentially four weeks to go. Try not to analyse or you will send yourself round the twist.

[nataliekristin]

Thanks for the advice I'm just ready to have my baby now the thought of another potential 4 weeks is mad! at least I know now the level of engagement is not an indication of imminent labour!

[PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom]

I do sympathise, but as a veteran of three pregnancies which each went past 41 weeks (the third to 41 +6), honestly just try and ignore it all. With my second, by the time she came I had driven myself half demented. The zen approach for no. 3 was far nicer for me and those around me.