38 weeks and baby's still not engaged (but rather large)

[amg_]

I went to the midwife again today, she says the baby is still at the brim and not engaged yet, which s/he should be at 38 weeks. What really concerns me is she says its liely to be overdue and may need inducing, even though s/he s a large baby - estimated at 8lb's at the 36 week check.

I'm worried because a) i can't face another 4 weeks (i'm in agony with pelvic pain amongst the other delightful pregnancy side effects), I'M ready now, and b) the baby's already large, how much larger can s/he get before i can't have a natural birth, or hve more difficulty and pain with tearing/episiotomy doing so?

I've been looking for things to try to help baby engage, and that encourage labour, but nothing looks too helpful. I know sex, nipple stimulation, walking (which is out for me with pelvic pain), and various foods that give you diarrhoea are in the list, but there isn't much info on herbs and ssential oils that are safe other than stimulating uterine contractions.

Any help/advice/ reassurance welcome

[amg_]

Thanks for the responses. I got a birthing ball a few weeks ago, it is so comfortble to sit on with the pelvic pain and the exercises are supposed to help positioning for the baby.. I went to a health shop yesterday and am taking raspberry leaf tablets and rubbing on palmarosa essential oil to help prepare the uterus, and hopefully make labour an easier process even if it doesn't actually make it happen any quicker.

[evthing4reason]

2 days before i had carter they said he was going to be 8 1/2- 9 lbs, but he was only 7lb7oz thank god cause i could barely deliver him

[Jules31981]

I have been engaged for 2 weeks and am still preggo.  I stillhave a week and a half to go, but the pelvic pressure feels like she is going to fall out in a matter of minutes. HAng intheir we are almost done and these babies willcome out when they are good and ready!!!!

[Lachises]

I was told that 20% of the time they get the weight wrong and they're usually measuring over.  They told me that my daughter was 7 lbs 6 or so oz at my 37/38 week appointment.  They said that she was looking to weigh 8 and a half to 9 at delivery.  I delievered her at 39.4 and she was 7 lbs 3 oz.  Don't worry too much about the weight.  When you do go into labor if the baby is too big to deliver vagionally they should tell you especially if you express concern.

[empty1]

I wouldn't worry if she is engaged or not , my friend never was engaged and went into labour . You never know about the weight they can be wrong . My baby has been engaged since 36 weeks and I have been 1 cm since and nothing ( I am 39 and 3 days now ) . So don't worry you could go from 0 to 10 before you  know it .

[Jem75]

don't be discouraged! I was never engaged or effaced until delivery and was dilated for 1 CM for three weeks - even measured 1 CM on my 39 wk appt. No change in dilation.

I did take a long walk the day she was born - but that was really the only "trick" - and I am not sure that is why I had her when I did - 4 days early.

Keep us posted - -GOOD LUCK!