Baby engaging, labor, and delivery...?

Question

I am 27 weeks pregnant with my second child. My first never fully engaged in the birth canal and I never went through labor. I am planning a VBAC this time around and wondering what I should expect. I had an ultrasound today and she is in position to engage although not engaged yet. When can I expect this to happen? When should she drop? Does anyone have any other suggestions to make this an easier pregnancy, labor, and deliver?

Answer 1

My daughter never dropped until I started having contractions (thank god!)  I had a non-medicated delivery and it was a great experience.  My husband and I took the bradley class, which was a great help and I doubt I could have done without it.  Here's a link http://www.bradleybirth.com/  The teachers are very supportive, helpful and experienced and worth every penny as far as I am concerned.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Especially with a second baby (and later babies), it is completely usual for baby to not engage until right before labor begins.

To make labor easier:

Water - if you have a tub, great, but, even if you don't, a warm shower may help a bit.

Have you taken any birthing type classes?  If not, you may still be able to get into one if you'd like.

Music that soothes/distracts you on a CD is useful.

A supportive partner/doula to advocate for you.  Especially doing a v-bac, it is quite possible that the OB/GYN or L&D nurses may try to scare you into a host of interventions and c-section.  You need someone who is going to be able to stand strong for you while you're in the throes of labor.

In general (not just for VBAC).  Remain "active" during labor.  Walk around, squat.  You don't need continuous fetal monitoring at all.  

Give birth in anything BUT the usual "on your back, feet in the air"  That's gravity working against you, and it also narrows the birth canal.  Squat, do a supported standing position, go on hands and knees, whatever works for you (hands and knees, rocking back and forth is also good for labor pains).  

Eat and drink during labor.  You need your strength.  Read the real chances of aspiration on vomit due to anesthesia - it's minute.  And the chances of needing general anesthesia are very very small.  If anyone thought I was going through labor without food, they were naive.

Remembe that above all else it is YOUR body and YOUR baby.  You have the right to refuse anything you don't want.  They also cannot turn you away and refuse to treat you if you're in labor just because you're "being difficult" (I don't think advocating for a natural birth is being difficult, but a lot of medical personnel do).  But they CANNOT force you to do anything you don't want (I signed waiver after waiver during my labor/delivery)

If you go to the site below, there's a whole section on VBAC, and that might help you further.  That community can answer pretty much all of your questions, and relay their experinces.

Good luck!!!