Is baby getting engaged at 34 weeks?

[lizzyttc2017]

Hi,

I'm 34 weeks tomorrow and for the past week or so I've been getting increasingly worse pressure, discomfort in my pelvis and cervix area. Today has been the worst. When I walk it can sometimes feel like I need to waddle walk like there is a head down low and when my bladder is a little fulll I am very uncomfortable and crampy. Also.. unreal amounts of very uncomfortable lightening crotch! I'm getting a lot of tightening too but I never know if it is braxton hicks or baby pushing out my skin causing a tightening sensation? :/

I've got my midwife appointment Tues so will ask her but I'm wondering if these are signs of pre term labour I should be keeping an eye on or if this is just regular joys of the third trimester (1st baby!) :)

Thanks!

The baby might be engaging, but especially with a first pregnancy that and Braxton Hicks don't really mean anything. Unless you are having regular painful contractions that don't stop when you have a bath and drink plenty of water I wouldn't worry.

Sounds exactly the same as what I went through with my first - started around the same time and continued until my DD was born at 40+6. It's not fun or pleasant, you have my sympathies!

Baby was 4/5 engaged for me at 34 weeks and I had these same symptoms so it’s definirely possible. I also had Braxton Hicks which felt like a belt being tightened around bump which was a bit uncomfortable but not particularly painful. As others have said though, these things are nothing to worry about as long as they’re not regular, painful contractions. It’s very common for baby to engage earlier in first pregnancies and doesn’t meet labour is imminent. I’m now 39+1 and still waiting to mean baby so it meant nothing for me!

Maybe, maybe not...

I have the same issues (34 weeks) but after the midwife checked baby is definitely not engaged. She will be able to tell when she examines you at your next appointment.