Baby dropping before labor

[Anonymous]

I'm 40 weeks and my baby has not dropped. My doctor is worrying me that I may need to be induced because the dropping precedes labor 1-4 weeks before labor begins. This is my first baby. Any advice?

[Anonymous]

Don't listen to the doctor. My baby didn't drop until I had been in labor for a while...

[Anonymous]

Many babies don't drop until labor is well established. If you get induced before the baby is engaged, you have a higher risk of a malpositioned baby (and especially if they break your water for you way too early). My doctor wouldn't even strip my membranes at my 39 week appt because the baby was too high, she said it's better to wait until baby got into a better position and/or labor began on its own. So, unless there are other reasons to induce, I would stay put if I were you.

There are things you can try to do in order to get your baby into a better position. Check out spinningbabies.com, they list some exercises to do. You can also look into getting a pelvic adjustment from a chiropractor.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

My son never dropped and I went into labor naturally a week before my due date. 23 hours of labor later and he still hadn't dropped. Because he was still so high, I was not able to dilate past 4 cm. I had to have a c-section. For sure, not what I planned but my DS is now a healthy and happy 1 year old so if this happens to you, know that you are not alone. Good luck and best wishes!