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February 2012 Moms
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**Updated** Question- baby hasn't dropped at 40 weeks

anythingelsepleaseanythingelseplease member
in February 2012 Moms

I don't post too often, but I went to the doctor today and got some upsetting news and had to see if anyone had a similar experience or knowledge about my situation.

I saw a different doctor in my practice today instead of my regular doctor and when measuring my stomach he asked if my mother delivered my brother and I vaginally. She did not- we were both c-sections. Her contractions never became regular and they said they were not pushing the baby down (this was also more than 30 years ago so who knows exactly). After this he mentioned that my baby is sitting very high still (I am 2 days away from 40 weeks) and that I am likely looking at needing a Cesarian. My regular doctor has never even mentioned the possibility of a cesarian, but he is not very informative. This doctor also mentioned that the baby's head is above the pubic bone and seems to be hitting the pubic bone instead of settling in. This doctor seemed very concerned that baby is not dropping because she won't fit through my hips. He said that only 15% of women whose babies have not dropped by 37 weeks can deliver vaginally. He did not check for dilation or progress, but at my appointment the week before (1 day shy of 39 weeks). I was not dilated or effaced at all. I am concerned that I am not dilating because the baby isn't engaging. I really haven't had any contractions either.

My regular doctor has never mentioned that the baby is not in the right position or is too high up. At the 38 week 6 day appointment he said she is head down and at -2 position. I know she is facing my left hip instead of my back also.  I have an appointment next week with my regular dr. and this doctor said to discuss it with him when I see him (which if I can stop crying I will have a ton of questions for him).

I guess I am in a little bit of shock from thinking I am 2 days away from my due date and everything is looking great  for the natural, drug free delivery I was hoping for to the doctor wanting me to schedule a C-section for next week. I just needed to see if anyone has had a similar experience or any advice. I also have a nasty cold right now, so I feel like I should be trying to walk or lunge or do something to help her change position and all I can do is cough and use of the last of my sick days that I was hoping to save.

 

***UPDATE***

Thank you for all of your advice and support. Two days later on my due date- I went into labor and within 12 hours had a natural med-free delivery. By the time I went to the hospital I was 8 cm dilated and 2 hours later vaginally delivered my baby. Everything worked out well and there was absolutely no problem with the baby dropping. 

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Re: **Updated** Question- baby hasn't dropped at 40 weeks

  • hannahbagelshannahbagels member

    I carried DS1 way up high in my ribs until labor. I never got checked for dilation or effacement. When my MW would listen to his heart beat, it was near my belly button! But at 40w2d, I went into labor, he dropped and was born after 7.5 hours start to finish, med free. 

    This other doc doesn't know you and might be the type to prefer csects, who knows. See what your regular doctor says. My MW never showed any worried with carrying high or facing sideways. 

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  • JeepGirl508JeepGirl508
    I haven't really dropped either and I'm 41w4d. My doctor said too that I will carry higher than most people b/c I'm shorter (5'3"). She doesn't seem concerned that the baby is still sitting high. Some babies just don't drop until you are in labor.
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  • KpercymanKpercyman

    I will probably be having a c-section because of this.  My only question for you is if you have been having contractions?  I have been in prodromal labor for almost two weeks.  I have contractions that 5-10 minutes apart all the time.  Apparently these contractions are not being productive.  With as frequent as they are without stopping my baby should have already dropped.  I haven't and since having these I am only 1 cm dilated and have been this way for two weeks.  Now I am only 37 weeks and my doctor mentioned a c-section today but is not going to schedule until my 38 week appointment.  We are hoping that something will happen.  However, she felt today and could feel his head just resting right above my pubic bone.  Also, I have excessive fluid so that might have something to do with it.  

     I would ask your regular doctor about it.  My only concern would be laboring for a long time and then having to have a c-section because baby won't drop.  Sorry! 

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  • MeganequineMeganequine member

    imageJeepGirl508:
    I haven't really dropped either and I'm 41w4d. My doctor said too that I will carry higher than most people b/c I'm shorter (5'3"). She doesn't seem concerned that the baby is still sitting high. Some babies just don't drop until you are in labor.

     

    This totally --  I haven't really dropped either-- well I don't think I have.  I'm short- 5'1" on a tall day.  The baby really has no where to drop to.  My doctor is not the least concerned- nor am I.  I've also read the some women don't drop until labor start. 

    Shame on that doctor for freaking you out!

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  • chippy3465chippy3465
    I haven't dropped either. At 39 weeks I had an ultrasound to make sure size isn't a factor esp being 5'2" and it's not. I've been dilated for over a month but my cervix is tipped backwards and his head isn't engaging. If I don't go into labor on my own we're going to make a game plan for induction. The only thing my dr said is if I got an induction with the way my cervix is we're doubling the chance of having a c-section. Here's hoping to make some progress this weekend or go into labor. 
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  • ghdst1ghdst1 member

    With DS1 he did drop and i went into labor naturally.  Although that labor ended in a c/s due to not progressing and DS having stress.

    With DS2 he never dropped.  I never dilated/effaced.  I woke up this past sunday with symptoms of pre-e...went into hosp...ended up having another c/s (was hoping for vbac) because all the contractions I was having were not regular and not being productive.  When my Dr got him out in the OR she told me he was very high up and not even engaged.

    It is possible your LO will drop and maybe not.  I don't think there is a way to predict these things.

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  • anythingelsepleaseanythingelseplease member
    Thanks for all the stories and help. I think I was just in total shock assuming that everything was going perfectly to hear that something may not be right. I have let it sink in and am just going the wait and see method. If I don't go into labor before my next appointment I will talk to my doctor and see what he thinks as well. This doctor even said I could wait until I go into labor and see what happens. I almost feel better that if she doesn't wind up fitting that I at least had a few days to wrap my head around it. I really appreciate the help and advice. I hope everyone is doing well with their deliveries and babies. Thanks.
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  • EJ711EJ711 member

    It might just be too early, some babys don't drop down until labor actually begins. I'm two days past my due date right now and my baby still hasn't dropped.  As of this afternoon I was 1cm and 50% effaced and my doctor was happy with that progress.  I'm going to wait it out over the weekend to see if I go into labor on my own, and if not they'll try inducing me on Tuesday.  If by the afternoon I haven't progressed enough then they'll have to do a c-section.  I wasn't planning on it either, and definitely wasn't excited to hear that, but if it has to be that way I'll just have to accept it.  Fingers crossed for the both of us to not need one, but if we do it'll be fine too.  Good luck to you I hope your little one drops down for you to deliver naturally.   

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  • lissag24lissag24 member
    Ok thats just crazy, I'm still very high and my doctor is talking about inducing me within the next few days. At this point we're not even considering a section the baby will move down don't worry. My doctor told me with both her kids she didn't drop until she was pushing so don't worry.
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  • mixedqt21mixedqt21 member
    If its just that the baby hasn't dropped but isn't measuring big in any way then I think your doc is jumping the gun. Like pp said many women don't drop until very late in the game. If your measuring ahead or had an ultrasound and LO is measuring big then I would take that into consideration. That is what happened in my situation and LO not dropping was the last factor in my decision for c-section. I hope your doc isn't pressuring you just because of that and I would talk to your regular doc about it to get another opinion. 
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