41 weeks and 5/5 palpable - how common is this?

[chocolatesolveseverything]

Hi there,

I'm expecting DC1 and as sort of expected, have gone overdue. But yesterday at my midwife appointment I was a little disappointed to find that I'm still 5/5 palpable (ie. not even a teensy bit engaged). As I don't feel anything different 'down there' today, I assume that's still the case today.

Is this common? Everyone else I know who's been pregnant before seems to automatically assume I must have a bowling ball in my pelvis by now and could hence go into labour at any time. Whereas my midwife, whilst emphasising that things can change very quickly if he does engage, thinks that induction will probably be necessary and I'm booked in for one next week. FWIW, I haven't experienced any BH yet either.

Does anyone have any stories about being 5/5 at this point and going into spontaneous or otherwise natural labour? I know that induction's not the end of the world, but I'd like to think I might avoid it!

Thanks

I was the same as you and went for induction at 40 + 11. With hindsight I'd have waited until I was two full weeks over, just to give DD the chance to get herself into the right place! So I'd say you still have time for it to happen - babies can engage any time up to the beginning of labour so it could be v quick.

Yes me! i went a week over with my first and a sweep got me going so i avoided induction but she didnt engage untill labour. And with second i went 8 days over but couple of sweeps got him moving and again he didnt engage untill labour.
like u i was desperate to avoid induction hence askin for another sweep with second.
And i had super fast labours as well so went from zero to ten in no time, so being engaged earlier doesnt always mean faster labours!

Thanks for the replies. I like the reassurance that late engagement doesn't necessarily mean a drawn-out labour! Lozza, it's interesting what you say about the sweeps as my MW won't do one until DC starts to engage. She said it wouldn't do any good, and even if it did, there'd be a small risk that the cord could fall into my pelvis if my waters broke and the head wasn't blocking the way first. I'll ask her about it again when she comes round on Tuesday though.

If it's a toss up between induction and going over 2 weeks overdue, I think we will slightly reluctantly go for the former though. DH is self-employed and therefore his paternity leave had to be scheduled in advance. He's enjoying the rest whilst he twiddles his thumbs at the moment, but he does want to get some decent time with the baby before going back.

DD wasn't engaged at 38+2 but had a natural and straightforward labour at 38+5 so it doesn't mean much!

Good luck!

It doesn't mean much really, as baby can become fully engaged just before labour. It could even happen tomorrow!

Neither of mine engaged before labour and I was induced at 40+14 both times. It was fine, but I can't imagine the two things were unconnected in my case.

Induced at 42+2. My waters had gone without me knowing and my blood pressure rose unexpectedly. There is still time, is all I am trying to say. :-)

i've had 3, none engaged until labour.
42+3, 41+2, 42+3, only the first induced.

From what I know I don't think it means anything! Don't lose hope, there's still time to go into labour spontaneously before your induction. Fwiw I was induced last time, and it was fine, though I know what you mean about wanting to avoid one if poss. Good luck!