Third time moms - what are you buying??? - April 2024 Babies | Forums | What to Expect (2024)

FAQs

How long from head engaged to birth? ›

This can happen any time from 36 weeks, but in 50% first time mums, it happens between 38 and 42 weeks. For 80% of first-time mums, labour will begin within 2 weeks of the baby's head engaging. For women having their second or subsequent baby, the baby might not engage until labour begins.

There's no specific timeline for when a baby 'drops' or their head 'engages'; however, this generally occurs toward the end of your third trimester, in the last few weeks before birth. You might look at it as a sign of prelabour; however, some babies may not drop until labour begins.

This is the beginning of head engagement. It readies them, and you, for a head-first delivery. If you're a first-time parent, your baby will likely begin to turn as soon as 36 weeks. If you've given birth before, your current baby may not engage until just hours before labor.

You at 36 weeks pregnant

If your baby's head has 'engaged' (moved down into your pelvis), you might be feeling more pressure lower down in your pelvis. You might even feel your baby's head putting pressure on your cervix, which can be quite uncomfortable. You'll probably need to go to the toilet even more often.

If you have never delivered a baby, dropping usually occurs 2 to 4 weeks before delivery, but it can happen earlier. If you have delivered a baby in the past, the fetus may not drop until labor begins. The shape of your belly may change after dropping. It may be easier to breathe, and you may have less heartburn.

While there is no way to know when labor is 24 to 48 hours away, labor signs include a bloody show, Braxton Hicks contractions, labor contractions, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, lower back pain, rupture of the amniotic sac (“water breaking”), and nesting instinct.

Figure 11.5 Press firmly with your fingers just above the pubic bone to see if you can feel the baby's head. 3 If the shape is not clearly round, it may be the baby's face or the baby's bottom that you can feel. Or sometimes the baby's bottom is up, but the head is not straight down (Figure 11.6a and b).

There's no one answer to this question. After your baby drops, labor can start after a few hours up to a few weeks later. For example, if your baby dropped at 34 weeks, it doesn't necessarily mean that labor is near—it could be 3 or 4 weeks away, or just a few hours away.

The earlier a baby is born, the more likely they are to have problems. Those born after 7 months usually need a short stay in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU.) Babies born earlier than that face much bigger challenges. They will need specialized care in the NICU.

ROT (Right Occiupt Transverse) position is the occiput, or back of baby's head, is on the right side of the mother's body and transverse, or across her pelvis. ROA (Right Occiput Anterior) is the back of the baby's head on the right side of the mother's body, toward the mother's front or anterior.

What sitting positions should be avoided during pregnancy? ›

Your legs should not be crossed and your feet should be flat on the floor. Try to avoid sitting in the same position for more than 30 minutes. At work, adjust your chair height and workstation so you can sit up close to your desk. Rest your elbows and arms on your chair or desk, keeping your shoulders relaxed.

Your baby's head is engaged when the widest diameter of the head passes through the brim of your pelvis. A pregnant woman will often know this because of a very intense feeling of fullness in her pelvis. Some women have described it is a feeling like there is bowling ball in their pelvis.

There can be great variations among healthy babies as to how often and how hard they "kick." Kicking includes all types of movements. Research shows girls kick as often as boys. Babies who kick a lot in the womb are also more active after birth. Some mothers have more trouble feeling the kicks than others.

If your baby is head down and facing your back (OA position), you'll probably feel kicks under your ribs. You'll also be able to feel the hard, rounded surface of your baby's back, which will be on one side of your belly.

There is no set day or week that women should expect their baby to drop. For some women, baby dropping happens just as labor starts or a few hours before. For other women, it may happen a few weeks before labor begins. Baby dropping might happen closer to labor for women who have had babies before.

One of the first subtle signals a pregnancy is nearing its end is when the baby settles into the pelvis, also known as engagement. The head “drops” into the pelvis by a couple centimeters. This can happen from a few days or even just a few hours before the onset of labor.

Precisely when it happens is different for every woman. There is no set day or week that women should expect their baby to drop. For some women, baby dropping happens just as labor starts or a few hours before. For other women, it may happen a few weeks before labor begins.

Once the baby engages, perhaps because the baby rotated and dropped into the pelvis, the labor often seems to stall. In this case, there is no problem as the uterus is simply resting. The mother can rest too, as long as her and her baby's vital signs are good.

You should start to feel your baby move between around 16 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. If this is your first baby, you might not feel movements until after 20 weeks. If you have not felt your baby move by 24 weeks, tell your midwife. They'll check your baby's heartbeat and movements.