Worried baby will arrive early - reassure me please!

[NervousNina]

Had 34w MW appointment (2nd pregnancy) and MW commented that baby is fully engaged which she said was 'unusual' unless it's a first baby??? She wasn't very clear about whether this meant the baby will be early???

I've also had some discharge which is stringy, looks a bit like snot and there's been a fair bit on the toilet paper when I have wiped. This first happened at 33w but happened again after the appointment and has been there three times when I have wiped today. It's white or clear and no blood so I didn't worry about it being the mucus plug but now combined with what the MW said I am worried that the baby will arrive preterm.

I don't think I would cope very well with being separated from the baby if it came early and really want a vaginal birth which I think is less common if its early?

Has anyone had a similar situation? The discharge worries me, do you think I need to call the hospital? I am sure I had similar discharge with my first baby about 4-5 weeks before birth who was full term.

My baby has been enganged since 33 weeks. I am currently 37 weeks and still pregnant. This is my 4th baby.

I've also experienced this discharge since 34weeks ish. I'm now 38 and still having it. I think some women just have more discharge than others. Mine is also very thick and mucus like. It excited me at first that baby will come soon however no baby yet so don't worry. Maybe get tested for water infections? Xx

Engaging means nothing.

It might sometimes mean something but it usually means nothing.

I spent week and weeks with a painfully engaged baby. He arrived at 42 weeks after an induction.

Thank you all for your positive comments which really helped. Sorry for not popping back sooner its been a busy couple of days!

Midwife tested my urine for everything including UTIs a few days ago and that was clear.

The last couple of days have had less um stringy discharge just more of the normal stuff so I am feeling a bit better about making it to full term.

I do have pain in my lower back but it is like a constant small ache definitely not contractions, is this because the baby is so far down now?

Advice I had from MW is that first babies usually once they are engaged they stay that way where as second babies tend to pop in and out. I’m 35 weeks and baby definitely currently all the way down and I’m getting contractiony pains but I’ve been told no reason to think things are starting yet.

Try not to worry. X

DD2 wasn’t at all engaged at a scan. I went into labour 24 hours later.

Foxglove That's good, I will try not to worry but I don't finish work until just before 38w so that is a bit worrying. I just want the baby to be okay and I know that is more likely the further along I get.

Spotting errr slightly less reassuring