Fully engaged; time until labour?

[KateTTC123]

I'm 37 weeks pregnant with DC 2. I was at the doctor this morning for a sharp pain in my side which she said is likely a trapped nerve in my back. She felt my pelvis and found that baby is fully engaged and is pushing my pelvis apart; which explains why I'm so uncomfortable! Although this is my second baby my last arrived very suddenly at 29 weeks so I've never been at this stage before, it also means that the fact that second babies usually come quickly after engaging might not apply to me. Can anyone remember how long after baby engaged they went into labour? I know it's a bit like asking how long is a piece of string but I'm just curious.

I was fully engaged at 34 weeks but my MW explained to me that being fully engaged isn't an indicator for imminent labour. I didnt end up going into labour until 36+5

My sister didnt actually engage until labour began...

@twittlebee darn! I had my hopes up that it would be soon as she said this was true of second babies. Well, maybe still have a few weeks to go yet then!

Yeah sorry! I think that is why late stages of pregnancy is so uncomfortable.

It is surely a good sign things are going right way for you. And obviously for many women it does mean things could happen too!

Keep active, get rolling on a yoga ball if you have one and maybe do some cleaning! My MW did say that encouraging baby to push down and move against the cervix can help start labour off.

TMI but I've also had diarrhea today too which I've heard can be a sign things will happen soon...

Yes that does seem like a sign for lots of women! Maybe make sure you're all packed and ready just in case?

I know it's hard but try and stay calm but equally keep active. You want to try and encourage the feel good hormones which are needed to help labour.

I followed your advice and spent a good hour on my yoga ball earlier and will go on again soon. I've been packed for weeks now after DS came so early but DH and I went and got some snacks for the hospital just in case; nothing perishable so will keep incase I'm wrong! I have had twinges in my back now and every time I pee I feel like the baby is just going to fall out! Really hope this is a sign things are starting and not just how it will be for the next few weeks!

I was engaged at 34 weeks last time and baby came at 41 weeks! I had loose stools on and off all pregnancy. I was actually constipated when I finally went into labour. As with all things, there are no signs that labour may be soon until the contractions start. Even with things like plugs I lost mine about 10 days before labour!

@babynameq dammit, that's frustrating. I hope it happens quicker than that

Ok, getting some pretty bad cramps now. Feel like period pains but I need to breathe through them. Don't feel regular enough to time yet though; more like waves of pain that kind of blend into each other. Could this be it? Technically I'm 37 weeks at midnight; is it worth calling?

That sounds like early labour! Hate to say it, but I did have that for a couple of days before my waters broke. Hope things have progressed well for you now though? Hopefully things get moving quicker for you.

Went on for a good few hours, to the point where I called triage asking at what point they wanted me to go in. Then it just stopped! I was warned that early labour could do that but it's very frustrating! Didn't get much sleep last night because of it so I'm knackered today. Hopefully the next time it continues!

Ah that is so frustrating. Have you downloaded a contraction timer app or have a pregnancy app with one already on there? I found that useful to monitor if things were getting a bit regular.

Yeah I've got a timer ready to go. Really hope it's not weeks and weeks of this though

Another one here where with both DC the head fully engaged at 33 ish weeks, neither was born until 41+ weeks. Here's hoping your body is more efficient than mine!