39+2, first baby, still not engaged...

[BeachLover26]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone's been in this position, but not ended up being majorly overdue/induced? I was told by my doctor that first time babies usually engage at about 36 weeks! He's head down, and I've been doing all the positions/exercises to help get him to engage, but he doesn't seem interested. I'm so desperate to meet him now, I can't stand the idea of being really late!

i was in hospital with pre-eclamsia with my first and at 38+2 they let me out on bed rest as all was going well and i was fed up of being in there, they checked me before i left and he was only just starting to engage so they just told me to rest up at home and enjoy the rest as he wasn't coming anytime soon!
Next morning my waters broke and he was born the following day!
They will just come when they're ready (although i bet you hate hearing that) Hope the same happens for you (without the hospital bit!!!)xx

Hi BL62 - we are due date buddies!

My last 3 midwife appts, baby has been "at brim of pelvis" i.e. not engaged - next appt is Thurs (due date sat 5th).

I am also a first timer - I know some babies only engage when in labour (more common for subsequent births) - but other than that I am thinking the same as you.

One way I am trying to look at it is - impatient though I am, I'm not actually at my due date yet; AND ....given its a first baby, its likely to be a bit later (say maybe a week) - arrrg is annoying though!!

I ve never really taken any notice of the whole 'engaged' thing in relation to how ready/imminent birth will be as with all three of mine they only 'engaged' during labour! DS1 born on DD,DS2 10 days over,DD1 3 days over!

I suspect that is true for a lot of women. Head down is what matters, just try and enjoy the last weeks of your pregnancy as exciting as meeting your new baby is, believe it or not you will miss your bump/being pregnant!

I am exp DC4,which will be our last planned, makes me a little sad that I wont be experiencing it all again! Good Luck! [hgrin]

Hi Beachlover Congratulations [hgrin]

My DD never engaged and was born 2 days after due date so i wouldn't worry.

My 1st had her head down by my second scan at 20weeks .. which made scanning pretty hard lol! but she didnt make an appearence until 5days after my due date! So do not worry i dont think it matters judging by alot of the comments on here =)! x

Hi beach. exactly the same as me, 39 plus 2, not engaged. Here's hoping something happens for us both soon

Thanks everyone. Patience is just not my strong point! :) Also, DH only has from 7th to 16th booked off work, so keen that he gets to spend as much of that time as poss with baby, not just an increasingly fat and grumpy wife!

Woodifer - we'll have to see who wins the race! My next appointment is the 8th, where I'll be offered a sweep, but only if I'm engaged, otherwise not worth it according to wf. Personally, I'm quite keen on the 5th for a b-day for him, as I can pretend the fireworks are all for his birthday!

I suppose I better get back to bouncing on my birthing ball, watching Gossip Girl and trying not to over analyse every little twinge!

Iktoday5 - you're in the race too! Fingers crossed for all of us it's soon (although maybe not today - not sure I fancy a halloween baby!)

I had a midwife appointment 6 hours before I went into labour. DD not engaged at all. First baby.

Hi
My mum had 5 kids and all of them engaged during labour with the exception of me (no.4), who engaged the day before (and she said that it made it painful for her) so I wouldn't worry too much. She was early with her first and late, but not massively so with all subsequent children so it didn't make any difference.