39 weeks and head not engaged

[Aprilbaby19]

Hi ladies,

Hoping for advice, sorry for long post.

I’m 39 weeks FTM, no major problems with pregnancy so far. I’ve been seeing my community midwife, who is lovely but has made a few mistakes throughout and has suddenly resigned after having a disciplinary meeting. I saw a different midwife at 37 weeks and I was told because they are busy they can’t see me until I’m 40+5 for next appointment.

My local hospital has very bad reviews so I chose to go to a hospital slightly further away, still only 20 mins but my community midwives don’t have any connection with this one and when I’ve asked specific questions, they’ve shrugged and said they don’t know their protocol.

Anyway, I have measured big throughout and been above or on the top line of fundal height, it has followed the curve so they’ve said I don’t need a growth scan, I’m only 5ft 1 but DH is very tall. Baby has not engaged and each time they have said he is still very high, I asked about his position and they said as long as he has dropped by 38 weeks, it’s fine. Otherwise maybe he is really big. I’m getting nervous now because I don’t think he’s dropped, I’m worried he will be huge. I’ve read that they can’t give a sweep if he’s not engaged. My main concerns are I’ll go well over EDD and end up with a induction/CS.

Would you call the hospital directly or wait till 40+5 appointment? Has anyone not been engaged but gone into labour spontaneously?

TIA x

Dd didn’t engage until just before I gave birth! I went into spontaneous labour. She came 1 day before my due date so I don’t think head engaging has much to do with when baby will come.

Fundal height isn’t very accurate. I’m petite and dd’s dad is v tall and I was worried about a huge baby. She was 6lb 11 when born after being told at my growth scan she’d top 10lbs 😂

Honestly staying calm and relaxed at the end is the best advice I can give. Baby is going to come out one way or the other and there’s very little you can do about how it will happen. Inductions aren’t the devil! You really just have to go with the flow, which I know is hard! If you feel something isn’t right then absolutely pick this up with your midwives.

My first didn’t engage until I went into labour. Which was a very quick one - 3 and a half hours. She came the day before my EDD. Her DF was very tall - I’m not. However she was very long 57cm, and weighed a very average 7lb 2oz.

Good luck and try to relax and enjoy these last few days.

My baby engaged during the second stage of labour, about 2 minutes before he was born. He was my second though. X

My first was born at 40+10 and I remember panicking that the baby hadn't engaged even at 41 weeks. However, I went into spontaneous labour and he weighed 7lb11 Good luck!

Thank you ladies, that is very reassuring. I’ve been chilled out about the birth so far and then stupidly googled head not engaging last night and as normal google tells you all the scary stuff! X