38+5 head not engaged.

[Jomum2020]

Feeling a bit deflated today... I’m 38+5 and baby still hasn’t engaged at all, head is free but she’s in the correct position pointing downwards. I know it’s still early days but I have been walking loads, doing exercises, bouncing on my ball. It feels like everyone I speak to their baby is engaged why isn’t mine 😩 (totally know no one can answer this I just need to rant 😂).
I’m also aware second babies sometimes don’t engaged till labour, I never laboured with my first so I was thinking this little one might behave as a first baby would. I’m worrying as I’m desperate to try for a vbac this time and I feel with every day she isn’t engaged it’s a step closer to my midwife saying ill need a section.
really my question is... has anyone else not been engaged at this point and gone onto suddenly the head being engaged at your next appointment? Does anyone have suggestions to achieve this? I am living on my birth ball at the moment!

[KLM19]

38+4 second baby he just engaged last friday to 4/5 after spending all my pregnacy head down lol... hope all goes well for you @Jomum2020

[Footlooseandfancy]

It could happen very quickly. With my first she wasn't engaged at either the midwife check or the scan I had at 38 weeks, went into labour naturally 2 days later. Fingers crossed it'll happen soon.

[polkadotx]

If it helps me and my friend were pregnant at the same time she was a week ahead of me.

I went to my app and was told baby was engaged and ready to come. She went to an app same day and was told baby wasn't engaged and would prob go over due.

Both our waters broke on the same evening, same time. (Actually really weird that it happened)

So it didn't really matter 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Moonflower12]

My second didn't engage until labour nor my 3rd. DC2 born 6 days late. DC3 born 4 weeks early.

[RowboatsinDisguise]

Like you say, it’s really common with second babies not to engage until much later on (ie. in labour) or to bob in and out of the pelvis. Usually once your waters have broken, that does the job if they aren’t already engaged by then.

[MissMini]

DS (baby no.1) didn’t engage til labour and I was induced (41+3) went on to have VBAC. Easier said than done but try not to worry it can all change so quickly and happen at the last minute. Good luck 😊. You’ll need to let us know how it goes.

[calimommy]

DS3 didn't engage until I did this sort of downward position (it was the opposite of what I expected to work) for about 2hrs. I went into labour within 5hrs of that (woke up 6cm gone) and he was born in less than 2.

You go on all fours, but lower your head/chest to the floor and keep your hips/bum in the air. Honestly I thought it was bananas but I thought I'd give it a try. When I told the midwife after she was delighted and said it was something she always recommended 🤷‍♀️ Apparently they pull out of the pelvis and move around and get more comfortable and then they can get into the proper downward position... or some such!

Best of luck x

[Sanch1]

My second did the hokey kokey! In one appointment, out the next! It's very common with subsequent pregnancies.

[eyeoresancerre]

Mine didn't engage until labour, 24 hours later he came. Best of luck to you all.

[Jomum2020]

Thank you everyone, I’m feeling much better reading all these responses. I will let you all know how I get on.

[jellybe]

With my second and third the bounced in and out of being engaged right up until I gave birth which was spontaneous with both. Where as my first was engaged from about 37 weeks and I had to be induced as she wasn't going anywhere.

At this point I wouldn't worry about it as second babies really can change quickly.

[Jomum2020]

Today’s update... re checked, no sweep as she’s still not engaged! 😂

[Chocforthewin]

Know the feeling OP, am 40+1 today & baby still hasn't engaged. They must just be happy where they are

[Jomum2020]

Is it your first @Chocforthewin?

I’ll have my fingers crossed your little one makes a healthy appearance soon :)

[Lolalovesmarmite]

Another one here who didn’t engage until I was in labour.

[Superscientist]

My little ones head wasn't engaged at 38+1, I had her at 38+6, I'm not sure when she actually engaged as she had her feet in my ribs until she was born so I never got the "bump drop" or "now I can breathe" feeling that others used to spot when the head was now engaged

[Chocforthewin]

@Jomum2020 Yes hun my first. Always thought baby would have been early. Though it does make me feel better reading on previous posts that baby may move down just before. Hopefully they will make their way down soon 🙏🏻 exciting times ahead OP

[Whatthedoodle]

I second what other posters have said about it happening very quickly. I went into labour with my first at 36 weeks, two days after the appointment I had where I was told his head wasn’t engaged at all. It doesn’t always mean much, my friend was due at the same time as me and her baby’s head had been engaged for weeks, she was so frustrated that she went overdue and I’d had mine early as she really thought she wouldn’t have to wait too long

[Jomum2020]

Any updates @Chocforthewin?

Just seen the mw again and head is still free... 😂🙈🤷🏼‍♀️ I give up haha.

[YourObedientServant]

Neither of my babies ever had their head engaged! Ended up with two c-sections. Fingers crossed your baby starts behaving and you see them soon

[Chocforthewin]

@Jomum2020 The midwife said baby felt low, so attempted to do a sweep. Then midwife stopped & said she wasn't going to carry on as she said baby moved instantly upwards when she attempted it. So the same, baby not engaged at all ☺️ did you get another 1 booked in hun? I think these babies are in no rush to say hello aren't they 🙈😂