Baby's head not engaged at 38 weeks

[WinnieF]

Hi, I've just returned from my 38-week midwife appointment at the midwifery unit where I'm hoping to give birth, and I'm hoping you can help put my mind at ease.

This is my first baby, and even though my baby's head was 3/5 engaged at my 36 week appointment, I'm now being told by a different midwife that baby's head is 'High and Free'. For this reason, I have been referred to a consultant at the hospital for a scan and to be checked out. I've been told that if the consultant agrees that baby has not yet engaged, I will not be allowed to give birth at the midwifery unit - and really worrying, I've also been told that my pregnancy would no longer be considered Low Risk.

I'm really confused because I thought many babies won't actually engage before labour starts, and I'm only 38 weeks + 1 day today, so to me it seems a bit extreme to start talking about consultancy appointments and risk factors already.

Has anyone else had the same experience, and how did it turn out?

How bizarre. My ds2 never engaged. My waters broke with a gush due the the lack of engaged head 'plugging' it at 38+4. My ds1 who did engage Pre labour didn't arrive until 41+3.

Forgot to add- my 2nd pregnancy was high risk anyway due to large birth weight of ds1 but the lack of engagement was never mentioned. In fact I was given the go ahead for home birth.

Neither of mine engaged till labour. Both born via SVD. Saw my obs at 39 weeks and asked her to have a rummage as I was feeling a lot of pressure . She said ' nope. Cervix closed. Head not engaged. See you next week." She was holding dd 12 hrs later.

My baby didn't engage fully till labour and I had a pool birth! I'd ask to see the guidelines there making such a decision on. There's still loads of time. I'd try sitting on ball and on all fours bum in air but didn't do much for me.

Mine didn't engage either but it didn't change my risk factor. How odd - maybe your health trust has a particular policy around this sort of thing? I think it would be worth you asking some questions about why this makes you high risk all of a sudden.

Just a thought - is there any chance your baby's whole position has changed (eg gone breech) but they just haven't explained it to you very well? The scan, checks and risk status change would be expected with that - so I'm wondering whether your baby has moved and they haven't told you properly.

Hmm good point. Well the midwife told me that baby was definitely head-down, but I will certainly ask the consultant to let me know if there's anything I should be aware of with regards to the positioning. Thanks!

Thank you all so much for your posts and advice. I feel much more relaxed about the whole thing now xx

Good news! I had my hospital appointment yesterday, and the doctor is not concerned. In fact, baby is 4/5th palp. which is fine at present time. She agreed with you ladies that often the baby does not fully engage until labour starts, so I've been given the go-ahead to give birth at the midwifery unit, which is my preferred choice. I guess the midwife was just a bit overzealous... but better safe than sorry I know :-)