40+ weeks head not engaged - question

[pinkegg11]

Am 40weeks+2 with dc1 and have got it into my head that this baby isn?t going to arrive of its own accord. It has been an unstable lie/breech since around 36 weeks, almost had a c section at 39 weeks due to this but baby flipped over night before!

Although now head down for 10 days+, head is still not nearly engaged and although sometimes feel pressure in cervix and generally in that region and get the odd mild cramp (never had noticeable Braxton Hicks during rest of pregnancy) I just don?t feel like labour is imminent. Am worried that pattern of breech/unstable lie, lack of head being engaged and lack of twinges is not a good sign.

Was just wondering if anyone else had a baby that didn?t settle down (literally down!) till the moment of labour and had a history of breech/unstable lie too?

And if anyone had any stories (positive or negative) of being induced with a baby whose head was not engaged? Many thanks!

Both DC born naturally without head being engaged prior to labour starting. First at 39 weeks, second at 42 weeks. The was an issue with DC2 that I couldn't have a sweep because of it, but all happened by itself eventually. Don't know if this is in any way connected but both were very speedy, uncomplicated labours. Good luck! (By the way DC1 was also breech till 36 weeks)

Is it your 1st? Apparantly if its your 2nd+ then the head can slip in and out from being engaged so would presume it can't be that important to be engaged.

Hi pinkegg11
I have a similar problem - I am 40+5 with DC1 and head still not fully engaged although head has been facing down for a while - went for a sweep 2 days ago but couldnt have it because of this.
getting very fed up now especially since this is my 1st so have no experience of what should happen.
Was told by midwife to bounce on gym ball as much as i can, however not sure how useful this has been for me?!

This was my experience EXACTLY - unstable lie, cancelled section! I was eventually induced at 41 weeks but ended up with an emCS as baby got distressed after quite a long labour.

You still have time though to go into labour all by yourself

If I was doing it again like that, and if I was induced, I would insist on an epidural. They talked me out of it last time. If you DO end up needing to go for a CS at least you will be able to stay awake.

DD and I were fine afterwards.

Sorry - the rest of the labour was fine though - just hot bath then g&A. Didn't want to cause you panic and alarm!

I don't think either of mine were engaged @ 40 weeks. my 1st only gone engaged when labour started i think, and that was after being induced at 10 days over, he was back to back dont know whether that effected his lack of being engaged or not?
2nd one wasnt engaged @ 40 weeks but did come of his own accord after 9 days overdue

I was going to post something similar myself!
I am 40+4 and head is 'free'. I am starting to think she wont come of her own accord. This is DD1 and friends/colleagues 1st babies heads were engaged well in advance.

I have been offered a sweep on Tuesday and i'm dreading it but it's preferable to an induction. Although now i'm worried they won't do it if head isn't engaged.

I have had some pressure in the lower area and plenty of movements going on but i don't think i'm ever going to go into labour naturally.

I would love to hear stories of 1st babies whose heads didn't engage until late/labour time and still had a natural labour.

Thanks all for sharing your experiences. Interesting to hear that some of you did just find that their 1st babies did engage right at the moment of labour. But that for some it possibly did signal a complication of some kind...

@emlim & firawla - here's hoping i follow your experiences.. - the consultant has said that we'd go up to 42 weeks, I was thinking perhaps 10 days over but given your experience perhaps I'd now wait the full 2 weeks. my baby has also been back to back (think its inherited my sense of direction)- would have thought that would affect engagement but don't really know...

@fluffygal - yes my first which is why have been a bit concerned!

@Pantofino - no panic caused. Sounds like u went through a bit of a marathon! This is I suppose what I'm concerned about - that the baby's trying tell me something so to speak. But i guess have to go through a trial of labour - I will definitely insist on an epidural - my impression was they sort of went hand in hand with inductions.

@sweetuphoria & smoggi - interestnig to hear you're both going through similar experiences. I haven't even been offered a sweep actually and this only occurred to me the other day. Have an appointment on Monday and will find out if they're able to offer it but sounds like this may be why they haven't already. Wonder why a sweep isn't possible but other forms of induction are?? I've also been bouncing on a yoga ball, brisk walking too - definitely feel more heaviness afterwards but then seems to subside.

Thanks again for sharing, has given me food for thought.

Hi Pinky, don't know if you're still watching or found better things to do!

My bab was only ever 2/5 engaged till labour (at 40+13) - I think he engaged mid-labour - I had intense pressure and contractions as my waters broke.

I had the usual pressures to be induced. I spent a great deal of time and effort on positioning and I really think it helped when I listen to friends' stories. Stay active, walk, and get on your ball!Get some advice, but I spent a great deal of time on all fours and left hand side when in bed. (oh er!)

I don't know if you've got better things to do, but I'm another one with a similar history. DS was eventually born by cs after a failed induction (nothing at all happened) as the doctors were too concerned he'd be transverse again (so they wouldn't do a sweep or erm).

Happy holidays (and I hope youru LO arrives).

I had an attempted induction at 38 weeks due to OC and PE. Baby never fully engaged and we ended up having a semi-elective CS on medical advice after a week with 2 pessaries and days of on-off ctx got us nowhere (dr thought waiting and pushing harder with the induction would only lead to distress and a crash CS). LO came out covered in vernix looking premie though, so I think it was justfar too early for her (even needed forceps for the cs).