Need positive stories about going into labour naturally when baby's head is still free

[Thelovecats]

An 40+6 with number 3 and want a home birth. Midwives will not perform sweep because head is still free. Any positive stories to tell me about going into labour naturally in this situation? Both previous babies were spontaneous labour but have engaged a bit at least!

[AugustRose]

I'm not sure why they won't do a sweep but maybe it's a policy thing -with DC5 my consultant did a sweep when his head was free to try and start labour before I was induced the next day - I was 37+4.

With DC3 her head was free at 9.30am when I had a mw appointment and I went into labour at 10.00pm that night - her head just dropped in at the last minute - she was a planned homebirth but she was only 38+3.

[Thelovecats]

It's because the community midwife wasn't prepared to take the risk of cord prolapse. Even with permission from obstetrician. I just want every chance to go into labour naturally so I can have the baby at home, and I've been given induction date for Monday at 40+11 and it seems so soon ????

[TakesTwoToTango]

You can delay the induction it's your call.

I was told that second and subsequent babies often remain free or pop in and out of engagement as mums muscles are pre stretched. I was told it's not a worry and often when the tune is right the head will engage and bam, you're in labour! That's what happened to me

[HarvestMoon9]

With both of my births, the head was free the day before I went into labour and then quickly engaged when things got going. With my second child, his head went from being completely free to so deeply engaged that the hospital midwife wanted to do a scan to make sure he was definitely the right way up (they couldn't feel his head!). So it can happen quickly esp with second or subsequent babies. Good luck - hopefully you won't need the induction.

[Roseybee10]

With dd2 her head was free at my mw check on the Tuesday and I was in labour by the Thursday and baby born on the Friday with very quick active labour.

I did do A LOT of rotating on my ball and squats on the Wednesday to try and get get engaged though and I think it helped.

[Thelovecats]

Thanks everyone. I saw doctor today who did a sweep (ouch!). She said head was still free but she could feel it while doing sweep and it wasn't popping up so if I can get a few good contractions it should move down well. Fingers crossed!

[TremoloGreen]

With DD1, head was free and my cervix was so far back/unripened, they couldn't even perform a sweep at 41 weeks although they tried. They too gave me a possible date for induction, but I told them that I wouldn't consent to it and would have extra monitoring instead. Went into spontaneous labour at 41+4. Did lots of optimal fetal positioning stuff (sitting properly, bouncing on ball etc) and also went swimming or walking uphill every day. Not sure what I did had anything to do with it, DD just came when she was ready!

[AugustRose]

Fingers crossed for you that things have got going :)

[ohhello]

It's really common to have a free head if you've had babies before. The uterus muscles are stretched snd it's more spacious in there when you start to contract the muscles will push your baby down. Don't give it another thought!

[Thelovecats]

I had a full night of contractions last night for nothing :( not effective so not bringing the head down, but still sore. I have had such straightforward labours before this is all unexpected!

[Thelovecats]

To update, I was induced with 2xprostin gel, and started contracting after second dose. strong contractions for hours but unfortunately she did a full rotation the wrong way and cervix remained at 2-3cm. Mw broke waters and I then went from 3cm to birth in a stupidly short time which was pretty horrendous. I have no idea why she didn't engage properly, even during labour, until waters were broken. Anyway, on plus side, I escaped with small 1st degree tear only and she is fine :)

[AugustRose]

Congratulations on your baby's safe arrival - hope you heal well and enjoy some good cuddles