Another childbirth question...

shanzone2001 · #1 08/13/12, 04:14 PM

I am 35 weeks along with baby #3. It is obvious that my baby has dropped. I can breathe easily now and feel a lot of pelvic pressure.

According to Babies Online, this usually occurs in the 36th or 37th week of pregnancy for first time mothers. In subsequent births, engagement may not occur until labor actually begins.

Now I am wondering if this means she may come early.....thoughts?

**Kris in MI** · #2 08/13/12, 04:32 PM

I'd say it's a toss up.

My first and second were 6 and 7 days early; my third and fourth were 21 days (3 weeks) and 22 days early. However, when I went into labor with #3, she wasn't even engaged and the labor/delivery nurse on duty was going to send me home! 8 hours later, I had a baby in my arms.

Other than this lightening, have you had any other signs that you may be nearing the end (Lol)?

Danaus29 · #3 08/13/12, 04:48 PM

Don't get your hopes up. My first dropped 6 or so weeks before I went into labor. The second I carried low the entire time.

Callieslamb · #4 08/13/12, 05:00 PM

Nope. Don't count on it. Just keep the date you have as your focus. You'll be miserable is you start thinking a week earlier and then go a week over.

Danaus29 · #5 08/13/12, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callieslamb

Nope. Don't count on it. Just keep the date you have as your focus. You'll be miserable is you start thinking a week earlier and then go a week over.

Or 2 weeks or 3 weeks or longer.

shanzone2001 · #6 08/13/12, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kris in MI

Other than this lightening, have you had any other signs that you may be nearing the end (Lol)?

Just those Braxton Hicks contractions and they are few and far between. As much as I would love to have her now (yes, selfish!) I want her to keep going until she is 39 weeks and I have a C-section.

My main concern about going into labor is that DS (child #1) was an emergency C-section and we almost lost him so we scheduled DS to be a C-section...I want to make it to my surgery date to avoid going into labor.

ne prairiemama · #7 08/13/12, 07:37 PM

I wouldn't worry unless you have other signs

jamala · #8 08/13/12, 07:47 PM

My first (boy) never dropped and was born on his due date. My second (girl) never dropped and I was induced at 38 weeks. My third was always low and was born at 24 weeks.

Lizza · #9 08/13/12, 07:51 PM

Only wishful thinking

My sister was "sure" #2 was going to go early, she was worried he would come before the midwife would deliver at home (37 weeks) because he had dropped and braxton hicks were so strong.............he was born at 43 weeks.

SilverVista · #10 08/13/12, 07:53 PM

My grandmother, who was born in 1894, loved to advise us all that "The first baby can come at ANY time! After that, it generally takes 9 months."

beccachow · #11 08/14/12, 11:18 AM

Agree with those that tell you not to get your hopes up. My DD was "engaged" for so long that she didn't just have a cone head when she was born, she had a sharpened pencil head.

ashleep · #12 08/14/12, 01:41 PM

Not sure of the circumstances of your Csections, so if this doesn't apply to you just ignore it. lol

VBACs are generally considered safe and many more docs are 'allowing' them. Have you considered a trial of labor? Scheduled sections carry the extra risk of the baby not being quite ready yet, especially if there is any possibility of being a little off on your dates.

Congrats on #3!

shanzone2001 · #13 08/14/12, 01:44 PM

Thanks, ashleep. I am pretty sure about the due date for a few reasons, but the primary reason is the ultrasound I had at 20 weeks put me exactly on target.
The reason for my C-section was my son's head wouldn't get through my pelvic bone and his head wasn't really big.... so chances are great that any other babies would have the same issue.

willow_girl · #14 08/14/12, 01:51 PM

Shan, I am giggling right now at your signature line ... picturing an eight-months-pregnant woman trying to skin a buck and run a trotline!

I hope the rest of your pregnancy is uneventful, and you have a good delivery.

shanzone2001 · #15 08/14/12, 01:53 PM

Thanks, WG!

Herbwifemama · #16 08/14/12, 10:07 PM

Not a reliable predictor that you will go soon. Just something to keep an eye on. When you start having ctx, THEN you can say the baby will be born soon!

Ohio dreamer · #17 08/15/12, 06:47 AM

Baby #2 dropped for me a few weeks before birth (we induced early due to DH's work schedule, he wanted to be there for the birth, not half way around the world) so she could have gone a few weeks longer. I remember that was a very hot summer and suddenly I could breath again....it was amazing and kind of freaky at the same time!