what happens if the baby's head dont go engaged?

Question

im 35weeks and the baby's head is not yet engaged. im so worried that i will need a C-section. if the head does not go engaged by 40weeks what will the doctor do? im so scared i really dont want to be cut open :-s

Answer 1

you will have a c-section! that is what happend to me

Answer 2

the doctor cannot do anything without your permission. In order to force you they would have to obtain a court order. That or use intimidation, harrassment and baseless scare mongering which is what they usually do.
The world health organisation view 'term' as anything between 37 and 42 weeks, because dating is not accurate.

As others have said there is still plenty of time for baby to engage. And if baby is in fact only 33 weeks and they have the dates wrong...then baby is no where near ready to engage yet.

Once you get to 40 weeks, if baby still doesn't appear to be ready to move and there are no other life threatening conditions ether for you or your baby. Then you can choose to wait. Then at 42 weeks, you can still choose to wait requesting one scan to check amniotic fluid and weekly monitoring via fetal doppler.
Check out the homebirth website for NICE and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists on being overdue and your options. The homebirth website also has information on helping babies head engage.

Answer 3

My son's head never engaged, even after I was fully dilated and pushing for over an hour. He just didn't budge. I had to have a c-section. It's really not that bad. I was sore for about 2 days after, but that was it. The pain was not unbearable, I only took ibuprofen for it.

And - we had just bought a house so it was a great excuse for me not to be able to help move ;)

Answer 4

i does no longer concern the two way, i became advised my toddlers head became engaged at 37 weeks and that i went into labour at 40 weeks and because it seems my son became breech so they didnt understand what they have been speaking approximately!!! it oftentimes occurs at around 35-37 weeks so if that's no longer engaged yet then do no longer concern, there is various time! stable success!

Answer 5

try not to worry, you have 5weeks for the baby to engage, some babies dont engage until you go into labour. its very rare to need a section because the baby hasnt engaged. dont worry you still have time.

Answer 6

caeserian section most likely.

Answer 7

Theres still time for the head to engage, try not to worry. If you do need a csection don.t worry I had one with my first child, and did not feel a thing.

Answer 8

dont worry. there is still plenty of time for the babies head to become engaged, and even if it doesn't that doesn't mean that you will need a c section as they can use vacuums etc. my sis had twins normally and the first was engaged but the second baby was 'helped' out. if you do need to have a section though, dont worry. you will have a gorgeous baby at the end of it. happy new year. xxx

Answer 9

You're only 35 weeks. So long as baby is head down thats all that matters. Some babies dont engage until labor begins. engaged just means that the head is locked in the pelvis.

After 36 weeks so long as baby is head down they almost always have to stay that way, theres just no room to move, they dont have to be engaged.

Answer 10

Believe me the option is the best for some reasons like yours but who can tell with time nothing stays the same stay calm as you can. loads of people have faced the same situation and been fantastic after.

Answer 11

you'll get possible C-section just like me...take the pain rather than putting the baby at risk..