Baby 4/5th palpable at 32 weeks?

[MissRee]

Hi ladies

After a visit to my consultant yesterday at 32+2, he put in my notes that baby is 4/5ths palpable (and therefore 1/5th engaged). Everything I've read has suggested that in first pregnancies, baby doesn't start to engage until around 2 weeks before birth... am I abnormal?? Lol

Otherwise, I've had some pretty impressive braxton hicks, usually worsened by walking/exercise and a dull ache in my bump and back on and off for the last 5 days or so!

Is this a sign of what I've got to look forward to for the next 8-10 weeks???

I had thought first babies engage earlier, but could be wrong ... either way I'm interested in this as I'm 30+2 and been having achey back pain today plus a feeling like the baby is a bit lower than it has been. I had been sailing through so far but today it's suddenly felt like 10 weeks is a long time to go!

Hmm maybe I got it wrong then!

I saw my MW on Thursday last week at the height of my braxtons and achiness but she just came to the conclusion I wasn't eating and drinking enough... I was a bit sceptical to be honest and consultant confirmed yesterday she was talking rubbish

I hear you on the sailing through only to hit a wall... I was having a fabulous symptom-free pregnancy until last week and now the next 4 weeks until I finish work seem like an eternity

Anyone?

Hi, your baby's head is not considered engaged until it's at least half engaged so 2/5-3/5 engaged, 1/5 is not considered engaged so sounds like your baby is totally normal. First babies often become engaged earlier. Both of my DCs didn't become engaged (3/5 or more) until a week or so before birth (my DCs born at 38+1 and 38+2) - it actually became pretty uncomfortable to walk as the head was so low.
Re BH - I had them with both, although much stronger and earlier with DC2. My consultant said it is your uterus doing practise contractions in preparation for the real thing. Supposedly they can get worse with dehydration, so drinking lots of water can help, and supposedly calcium & magnesium supplements can help too (so maybe that's why your midwife said to eat & drink more). With DC2, my BH became pretty unbearable & uncomfortable a few days or a week before labour, so I think with me it was a sign of imminent labour.

My baby has been 3/5's engaged since 32 weeks....I'm now 38.4 and still the same! My midwife said it was a bit early to be engaged for a first baby but doesn't really mean much as to when the baby will come....

Thanks all, I'll stop panicking that I haven't packed my hospital bag yet then and concentrate on struggling through the next 4 weeks at work

Argh they're getting worse again :( Have been in pain pretty much all evening although no real pattern to it. Baby is moving well although more squirmy wriggles than kicks or punches. Back is killing me and bump keeps going tight.

Definitely not dehydrated (had about 8 pints of water/squash today) and have eaten well.

I feel like I need to rest but have work for the rest of the week - bleh! only another 6 weeks and 4 days til due date

My first wasn't engaged a week before and I'm not sure when he did tbh. it varies from woman to woman tbh.

My first wasn't engaged a week before and I'm not sure when he did tbh. it varies from woman to woman tbh.

My first went to 2/5ths engaged quite early...eventually got to 4/5ths and I went 11 days overdue and he still didn't engage fully! Had to push him down in labour!!

My first was fully engaged for at least 4 weeks before he showed up. I got all excited at the time and just kept waiting and waiting.