When did your baby 'drop'?

[x0gawjus0x]

I'm 37+1 first preg and just wondered when your first baby engage ? Did you even realise? I'm asking because I'm so full up of baby under my ribs and its so uncomfortable I'm hoping it will go once she's engaged and lower down..

[Slh122]

DS didn't until I went into labour at 38+5 weeks. I had my 38 week midwife appointment the day before he was born and she told me that he was 'still far too high' and that I should 'expect to see my due date or possibly beyond that.' How smug I felt getting my baby weighed in that same room just 5 days later
A lot of first time babies do engage earlier than labour though. I feel sorry for you, I know that awful feeling of not being able to breathe properly because there's just too much baby in there!

[Wombat79]

I'm feeling your pain. I am 39 weeks and last week I was in so much pain with my ribs (couldn't breathe, move without strong muscle spasms across my bump - it was agony) due to a chest infection and a very high baby.
Thank God my cough has gone and the ribs have settled so that at least I can move around again and enjoy mat leave. However, despite being head down he still is not remotely engaged and loving my ribs.
Praying he engages for a normal (whatever normal is) labor. I am being good and going to the gym and swimming daily, staying on my feet, sitting on my ball but none of it seems to make a lasting difference. If i feel he does move down he just bobs back up a few hours later. He is a mischief already!
Good luck with your little one

[Carsandtrucks]

Not until labour.

[PastaandCheese]

Both mine have fully engaged by 36 weeks. I went overdue with my first and expecting the same this time.

I'm surprised the second engaged as early as I was expecting it to be later as is the way with seconds apparently. The midwife seemed surprised too so perhaps it is a tad unusual?

TBH it's no more comfortable. Obviously your ribs will feel better but the pressure in your pelvis from a fully engaged baby is unpleasant too.

[MummyPig24]

Someone commented on Monday that my bump had dropped. This is dc3 and the last one wasn't engaged even in labour. I'm pretty sure this one isn't engaged, sometimes I feel pressure on my cervix and other times I don't so I think he/she just pops in and out!

[Pinkbell123]

Mine bounced up and down for a while but then finally engaged (for good I hope) somewhere between 38 and 39 weeks. I feel so much better! Hated the breathlessness and can actually walk at a normal speed again. I'm due on Friday so hopefully he's down for good now.

[Kellsbelles83]

It can be just before labour or even during labour. My daughter didn't 'drop' until about 38 weeks but I must admit, I was so relieved because as you well know, it's a nightmare being 'full' of baby :)