[mb122]

Okay, I know this is normal, especially because I've already had one child. I'm not too worried. But I keep waiting for it to happen (for the baby to drop). I am checking the mirror constantly. I can't believe how high I am still carrying this child and I'm wondering if my cervix will even dilate/efface before the head is engaged.

Does anyone know? Can your body be getting ready even though the baby is still "floating"? Will it all happen at once (when labor begins)?

I'm also scared of my water breaking at this point (because the head isn't engaged). My water broke with DC#1 right before 39 weeks.

Also, with my DC#1, I felt like my body was doing things from 37 weeks+...not true at all this time. Maybe because I was carrying DC#1 so low I felt a lot of pressure and lost my plug at 38 weeks, etc. Right now, I feel like I am weeks and weeks away from giving birth.

Just wondering what some of you experienced.

 

[orangebird]

Neither of my babies ever dropped until midway through labor. 42 weeks, and 41 weeks. Everything was fine. They floated up until the very last minute. Neither of the times did my cervix begin to soften or dialate wither until labor actually started. In both births I had exams the day before labor began and the baby was still high and my cervix was still firm. Both my labors started spontaneously and my labors were completely normal and uneventful and babies were in good positions. HTH.

Oh, and with my first baby, my water broke first, on it's own while I slept, as far as I knew baby's head was not engaged before hand, though it could have become engaged that evening sometime (dr apt was that afternoon and head was still high, floating). Head ultimately engaged and no cord prolapse.

 

[RachelGS]

I've heard that it's unusual for second babies to drop before labor begins. Don't sweat it!

 

[mb122]

Thanks both for your replies...

I know it's not unusual...I just feel at 38 weeks like I did at 32 weeks. I know I should feel thankful that I'm not waddling around and in a lot of pain, but it feels weird, like labor is SO far off. It feels like nothing is really progressing...

 

[leosmama20]

I am just a couple days shy of 38 weeks and in the same situation. Just wanted to let you know you aren't alone!

 

[sarahloughmiller]

Ds never dropped until he was coming out. I was dialated to 3 for a few weeks before he was born, but he stayed high up until he was on his way out. I have heard that with your second or more pregnancy that the baby does not drop anyway. I don't know whyt that would be, but I would not worry about it. Babies come out when they are good and ready and a prolapsed cord is rare.

 

[wendy1221]

Ds1 didn't drop until I was pushing. I don't think ds2 was ever high and I"m only 27 weeks, but it looks like #3 is going to be a low low baby as well.

 

[Evergreen]

I was 26 hours into hard labor before mine dropped also! She was another 42 weeker.

 

[dynamohumm6]

My son dropped during labor. He was born about 12 hours later. He was pretty much floating up until then!

Also--my midwife broke my water as he crowned, and I lost my mucus plug the day before I went into labor.

My first dropped at about 37 weeks, so I had the same worries you do. Short, quick, easy labor though, and my cervix was long & barely 2 cm until labor started.

 

[Ahappymel]

Everyone kept telling me how far away from delivering I was because my son hadn't dropped. Then I went into labor right on time

He stayed high until the very end. I didn't lose my mucus plug until I was already in active labor...a couple of centimeters dilated.
Good luck to you!