Is there anything you can actually do to help the babys head engage??

[newmomma]

That's it, really.

No foolproof way, really, but you can encourage it by:

Adopting a good posture - upright or leaning forward, not slouching back in your seat etc.

Bouncing on a birthing ball

Keeping active - walking lots, up and down stairs, housework etc

I agree with APassionateWoman's advice that you can encourage your baby to adopt a good position for labour by keeping upright, not slouching on squishy sofas, using the birthing ball etc. I have managed to shift 2 of my DCs by doing those things. One DS was back-to-back and I managed to encourage him to turn round to a nice position for birth by keeping a check on how I sat and what position I took when relaxing, kneeling on all fours a lot, leaning over beanbags, sitting in upright chairs. I looked a bit funny to DH when we were sitting watching the telly, but it worked!
I also managed to encourage my breech DS (who was still breech at 37 wks) to shift right round into a perfect position and went on to have easy labours with them both.

That's my concern - baby has been breech more often than not and at my presentation scan yesterday she'd finally turned cephalic.

So I was wondering if there is anything I can do while she's the right way round to get her to engage, thereby reducing the chances of her turning breech again...

Newmomma, I'm piggybacking on another of your threads again!

I was thinking the same last night when baby seemed to be practising a mini gymnastics routine, I placed my hands (gently) on my tummy in a vain effort to stop it flipping again!

Going to adopt an upright position at all times, and get on my birthing ball at every opportunity!

I hope you are both sitting up nice and straight or bouncing on your birthing balls and not slumped on the sofa?

oooppps, was sliding into a slump then!

Off to bounce on my ball!

x

Yes, thanks for looking out for us Mum, I mean display...!

Will the ball help with actual head engaging or just getting the baby in the right position?

Was wondering whether squatting might help with getting head to engage? Or does that just sound ridiculous?

I walked everyday despite hips hurting. Gravity helps baby move down so walk walk walk. I was told the ball just gets baby in right position.... I used a ball and my baby was in right position.... Good luck xxxx

I went for a vigorous walk, mostly uphill, at 36 weeks with DC4. I wasn't trying to engage her or anything, just not thinking what I was doing as it was the schoolrun and we were late. Plus I have never been one to walk slowly anyway.

Once I got home and sat down, I had contractions for about an hour and got a bit scared as I was only 36 weeks. Pain stopped and lo and behold I could suddenly breathe really well but needed to wee every 10 minutes. At next MW appt baby was 2.5 palp.

Went for a 'cross country' walk evening before due date and she came the next day on her date.

Walking seems to work for me, it also got DS1s labour going.

Right... long walks today it is then!!

... nearest big hill to me?

Is it true that 2nd and subsequent babies sometime don't engage (and stay there) until labour actually starts? I've heard they can float in and out.

I'm preg with first and baby was 3/5ths engaged last week and now he's not engaged at all - how annoying! Apparently they can bounce in and out!

It is true that some babies (usually 2nd and subsequent like you said) don't engage until in labour.
DS (my 2nd) was a popper in and out right up until the day or 2 before he was born so not quite labour but was a close call really.

Jayfer - me too!! Last week baby was 3/5, today she's free. Bugger Andddd this was after I walked about 3 miles. Pop back in baby!! 36+3 today and bloody fed up!

Good luck new mummies... I went two weeks over and it's the worst wait of your life!

I tried it all....pineapples, sex (last thing on my mind!) hot curries.... driving over cobbles... the lot. I hated ppl saying they will come when they are ready but it's bloody true!

Hope they pop back down quickly for you! xxx