What does it feel like when baby engages? +SPD related

[Deliaskis]

Hi there,

Am currently 37+4 and baby has been head down for a few weeks but still 'free' i.e. not engaged.

I do have a feeling of pressure low down but it comes and goes, but the reason I am asking what it feels like when baby engages, is that this morning I have woken up with almost complete absence of SPD pelvic pain, which has been horrid for weeks now, but especially the last 5 or so days.

A couple of people have said it might get better when baby engages, as baby helps to provide a bit of structure.

But I guess my question is this...is it really obvious in other ways when baby has engaged? I mean do you literally feel that it has changed? There is a quote in a book I have where the lady said she suddenly felt like her legs were a giant pair of nutcrackers with a watermelon in between. Is this typical?

So am pretty sure baby might not be engaged yet, but equally mystified as to why SPD has gone!

Would appreciate any insight!

Ta
D

Hi

I also had SPD but have to confess it did not feel any better when the head was engaged. I only knew the head was engaged when the midwife told me! He was well engaged for about a week before he was born.

Good luck!

I had it badly too, I was assured that the pain would ease when he engaged... however, every time he dropped a bit more I couldn't even stand up because of the pain!! That lasted for a day or so, then eased off to the same level again.

I really hope engaging baby eases your pain for a bit, enjoy it!!

Ah strange...so my sudden absence of pain could be related, or could mean absolutely nothing at all!

It was really weird this morning I suddenly realised I had walked at a normal speed out to my car, and so walked around a bit just to check, and the only pain I had was what I would call 'residual' pain as a result of having been walking oddly for weeks.

Hoping baby has engaged though, any sign that s/he has discovered where the door is would be good as am more than ready to be not-pregnant now!

D

Deliaskis - I've had this too!

PGP has been bad for last 6 - 8 weeks but for the last 4/5 days has receded lots. Baby's head is also engaged (but is dipping in & out I think!)

I put it down to me booking to see my consultant tomorrow to discuss an ELCS as opposed to VBAC - due to the pain I've been in with PGP

Mine felt a lot better when the head engaged- as you say something to do with it being stabilised. Didn't cause any problems with labour either having spd, just in case you're wondering!!