[readytobedone]

until labor? i'm 39 weeks and the baby is very high. she isn't just "floating" (which i gather means un-engaged, still ballotable)--she has not even gotten into the inlet, which the doctor has determined by the fact that he can't feel her head from inside at all. but she is definitely head-down. cervix is still posterior.<br><br>
just trying to get a clear answer on what's going on and whether it's odd. lots of women keep saying that it's normal for the baby to still be "floating" at this stage, but is it normal to be <i>completely out of the pelvis</i>? everything i've read just <i>assumes</i> the baby is in the pelvis by this point, even if not yet engaged.<br><br>
am i weird, or does this happen? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngtongue.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Stick Out Tongue">

 

[Jane]

It's more common for women with african ancestry with a first baby. It's also common after the first baby. First time mothers typically have stronger abdominal muscles - the baby runs into that firm barrier and runs out of room sooner, and heads for the only place with more room - the pelvis.<br>
As far as I'm concerned, you're right in the middle of normal.

 

[readytobedone]

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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Apricot</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7938927"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">First time mothers typically have stronger abdominal muscles - the baby runs into that firm barrier and runs out of room sooner, and heads for the only place with more room - the pelvis.<br>
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thanks for the response. something occurred to me after reading what you wrote. my abdominal muscles might be different from the average, considering i had very major abdominal surgery at the age of eight. i have a vertical scar that runs the whole length of my abdomen (from below the pubic bone to several inches above my navel). my whole adbominal musculature had to re-heal after that operation. could that make any difference in this situation?<br><br>
i know i shouldn't probably be looking for a reason at all. it's just so hard when i'm the type of person to always be looking for a reason for everything <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/dizzy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Dizzy">:

 

[Jane]

Could be a contributing factor, but it's so common that it doesn't need a reason. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Rockies5]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>readytobedone</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7939098"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">thanks for the response. something occurred to me after reading what you wrote. my abdominal muscles might be different from the average, considering i had very major abdominal surgery at the age of eight. i have a vertical scar that runs the whole length of my abdomen (from below the pubic bone to several inches above my navel). my whole adbominal musculature had to re-heal after that operation. could that make any difference in this situation?<br><br>
i know i shouldn't probably be looking for a reason at all. it's just so hard when i'm the type of person to always be looking for a reason for everything <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/dizzy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Dizzy">:</div>
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muscles and skin still stretch. Look in the mirror at your belly..looks pretty normal for being 39 weeks I would expect?

 

[readytobedone]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Apricot</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7939325"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Could be a contributing factor, but it's so common that it doesn't need a reason. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"></div>
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<br>
so it's really that common for the baby not to get into the pelvis? like how often might you see this?<br><br>
everything i read (internet research) says in first-time moms the baby comes down several weeks before delivery. i can't be <i>that</i> many weeks away! my "due date" is accurate as EDDs go. am i just reading the wrong things? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"><br><br>
i feel like a freak!

 

[readytobedone]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Rockies5</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7939341"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">muscles and skin still stretch. Look in the mirror at your belly..looks pretty normal for being 39 weeks I would expect?</div>
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i don't know...i guess, LOL. i don't see that many 39-week pregnant bellies!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/innocent.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shy"><br><br>
i just want to feel normal, and i don't, and it's making me sad. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/gloomy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Gloomy">:

 

[Jane]

Maybe 1 in 15 to 20? 5 to 8%? That's a guess without charts in front of me...<br><br><br>
Feeling abnormal - well, if you're planning natual childbirth, you're in the minority in my area. But I think that's something to celebrate! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">