How do you know when the baby's head has engaged?

[daisystone]

I'm just over 34 weeks now and the pain that I was experiencing in my ribs seems to have gone. Plus I am going to the loo much much more frequently.

Are these indicators of the baby's head having engaged/dropped down? And if these are indicators, does this have any effect on your due date?

Anyone?

The baby might well have dropped a bit but probably hasn't fully engaged. Some people feel a distinct sensation like an "orange between their legs" when the baby fully engages and some are not aware of it. It makes no difference to your due date - I have been engaged for weeks and am now overdue!!

It does sound like your baby has dropped.

I was 2/5ths engaged from 35 weeks last time.

However, I was two weeks late, and induced! (Which was fine, btw).

You're much more likely to engage early with your first, apparently.

I'm 37 weeks now, and baby is still staying stuck in my ribs.

As anastasiak says unfortunately having baby engaged does not mean you are about to go into labour, it just means you get to walk like you have a watermelon between your legs! You should see it in the shape of your bump - more of a ski jump. The baby can bounce in and out of being engaged as well. You mid-wife will be able to tell you how engaged you are and the good news is is that if you are engaged then the chances of having to be induced is much lower.

The midwife tells you

yes you can suddenly breathe again, but walking seems weird

I am glad it doesn't mean that labour comes on sooner - i am not prepared! Our house is not finished. Really don't want an early baby...

With DD1 I remember getting out of the car at the supermarket and it really felt as though I had a melon between my legs (none of your "orange" rubbish here!), with DD2 I didn't notice at all (think with 2nd babies they don't tend to engage until you're in labour?)