39weeks +5 weeks pregnamt and baby not ingaged

[alicedp]

If anyone has any advice for me on what happens when baby is not engaged at this late stage. My Gynae keeps saying that he should be engaged by now ( I thought some only engaged in labour??) and wanted to do a C section. I asked if I could have a trial of labour and he agreed but wants to induce me on Tuesday, I'll be 40 weeks. Is this normal? I really was hoping to go into labour naturally but he is very vague about why I should not and I can't help feeling like we are being pushed into something that could be un-necessary.

i'm glad he is prepared to rescan...that is good....and if baby in a good position and not stuck, then that is positive...baby just not ready to be born yet !!

some women need to carry their baby for 42 weeks.....if you are sure of your dates, and there is no physical reason for inducing you now, then hang on in there

as long as baby is happy in utero, and all is well, then waiting for labour to start naturally is the best option..that is how mother nature intended things to happen...

re sweeps...well, you can look here www.gentlebirth.org for some tips on getting your body geared up for birth...lots of sex will help !

i'm glad you are not being pushed into it, and of course, if you change your mind, or a are worried, you can go back for another scan/ check, can;t you?

BTW, does anyone know anything about taking castor oil or have tried it themselves? Just looking at options incase I get desperate!

One other thing - I have a lot of friends in South Africa and the pressure there by gynaes and doctors to have a planned c-section is unbelievable. I know very few people who have actually had a vaginal birth (the 'baby too big for pelvis' reason seems to be used a lot). Not a proper survey or anything, just my impression... go with your instincts and don't be bullied!

I know, we have one of the highest caesar rates in the world. Quite sad I think. Anyway, have learnt a valuable lesson and will go with a private midwife rather than gynae for next pregnancys!

there are good tips on the gentlebirth site

ip;d avoid castor oil, can give you tummy ache & the runs, and you don;t want to be in labour , dehydrated and in pain already

sex and nipple stim are good