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Engagement

Useful inormation on what is engagement, when does it happen and what to expect when your baby's head engages.


Discuss engagement on our forums, right now! Or, post a comment below.

Engagement is when the foetus descends down into the pelvic cavity. This is also known as dropping or lightening. You may feel your baby gradually dropping and your lungs and stomach stretching out a bit. Walking may become increasingly uncomfortable and it may feel almost as if your baby is going to fall out. This usually occurs two to four weeks before delivery during a first pregnancy. In subsequent births engagement does not usually happen until labour begins.

Your Comments

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I was really pleased to hear that the pink wriggler's 3/5s engaged the other day. But when I looked back on previous notes I've been 3/5s since 35 weeks. Bummer. Guess I'm not as close as I thought! (38 wks)
added by bellebird [Tue 26th May 2009 @ 12:35:37]
hi there... i am on 38 weeks, during last check up (03/04/2009) my gynae was telling me that my baby's head facing down but yet to engaged. my edd would be 19/04/2009
im wondering any kind of movement will made my baby's head engaged??
added by imhappy [Thu 9th Apr 2009 @ 09:20:32]
hi i m 32 weeks pregnant my baby kicks alot do i still have time to have my baby s head go down i cant walk properly nor even can sit for a long time not even for ten minutes
added by shahaqamar [Thu 19th Feb 2009 @ 10:12:38]
I am in my 38th week and my baby has been engaged since I was 35wks so it just goes to show it does not always mean baby is coming sooner!!! I hope he does make an entrance soon thou!
added by lizzyleek [Tue 16th Sep 2008 @ 08:43:20]
I am in my 42nd week of pregnancy, and my baby is not engaged at all, the obstetrician says i will need to have a c-section, if it hasn't engaged by Monday, any comments on this please?
added by jojomofo [Mon 19th May 2008 @ 08:50:10]
I am in my 36.3 weeks and my doctor told be baby is too far for engagement what does it means.... and also she said she thinks that we have to go for elective c-section.. Please on the same thanks
added by Sang [Thu 24th Apr 2008 @ 08:51:54]
my baby has now been engaged for 3 weeks, when it happens earlier...it doesnt mean he's coming earlier unfortunitly!!
added by Lynsay [Thu 20th Mar 2008 @ 08:37:50]
my baby has been engaged for about 2 weeks does it mean my baby will be here within 2 weeks?
added by titi [Mon 28th Jan 2008 @ 18:16:14]
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