Encouraging things along

[manyaslip]

Just had my 38 week midwife appointment. Everything's on track and going smoothly, which is great, although the midwife mentioned that the baby isn't fully engaged yet and so suggested that I start bouncing on a ball, going for walks etc. to encourage things along. I can of course do that - walking is good - but I assumed that most babies come along when ready and that there shouldn't be a need to hurry things at 38 weeks in normal circumstances. Or am I missing something? Did you ladies feel the need, or were you encouraged, to take action at this stage to get things moving? Just wondering what's normal!

Following with interest 38+5, pretty fed up of being pregnant now but in no rush to evict baby if it's content for a bit longer!

Mine have been the same, giving advice on how to get things started or things to help.

Possibly to reduce women having to get inductions? I have bought ball this time round and trying few things as I had no signs of going into labour with no.2 and had to be induced at 42 weeks.

I hope this little person decides to come on their own.

I'm 38 + 3 and had same conversation with midwife yesterday, mainly because I mentioned I'm pretty fed up and wouldn't mind baby making an appearance (regular growth scans show he's pretty big with head on 98th percentile so getting anxious about going over). She said that baby will come when he's ready but there's things to do to get and keep him in a good position for when he's ready.

Well, babies in general come when ready, yeah, but by the end most people are more than happy to encourage things by a day or two!

Walking is good for you mentally & physically, and if you should start early labour it can also keep things moving along effectively, so why not? It also definitely encourages baby to go and stay head down, back out i.e. the best position for birth.

Don't worry if they're not engaged, sometimes you don't even engage until labour. This is what happened with my DD. I thought I was going to go overdue because she wasn't engaged but she did when I was in labour

In my first pregnancy by this stage I was totally fed up and I tried all the old wife tales but Nope nothing my baby wasn't budging and was 12 days late. Hope all your little ones arrive on time for you ladies x