I went for my checkup when I was in my 31st week - and my doctor seemed quite worried abt the fact that my baby's head was down and \";fixing\";. I did mention to her that during my first pregnancy, my child did not turn after the 28th week and had his head down, and I did not deliver early (delivered 2 days before the due date) - but she said that because its my second pregnancy - I might deliver much earlier - she also told me to count the number of times I was experiencing Braxton hicks in a day - I counted - its abt 2-4 times in a day - I am in the 33rd week right now !
Do I have anything to worry? I am scheduled for another appointment this weekend - but wanted to get your opinion on this and how serious is the problem !
Thanks, Shilpi shilpi replied. Oh and I am not experiencing any lightening symptons - I definitely think my trips to the restroom have increased - but not as much as I used to go when I was pregnant with Aarya - towards the end.
And we have not had intercourse since the 24th week - when I started vomitting blood. And before that also when I think I was in my 17th or 18th week the doctor told us not to - because I started bleeding - after that we did it only once in my 24th week - and when that also resulted in blood - we decided against having intercourse while I am pregnant.
And your reply was so sweet and nice, that if you had been here, I would have hugged you to thank you !
Shilpi shilpi replied. Thanks a ton Archie ! That was a great help !
I don't think I have lost the mucus plug so far.
I am also scheduled for an u/s and a doctor's appointment this saturday, which would also throw more light on whats happening and whether I might go into early labour.
I think I will cut down on my walks - at least till the appointment - and get ur advice on whether I should after the report. Aarya anyway does not let me rest during the day - so thats enuff exertion for me ! He has just started going to play school which gives me about 2 hrs to do other things - like going for walks. I don't remember when lightening happened for me in Aarya's case !
My labour was very long - about 27 hrs -
I shall let you know whatever the doctor says -
Thanks a ton again !
Shilpi archie replied. Dear Shilpi,
I liked your concern and this is indeed a good one.

Baby can get head fixed (head down) anytime between 28 to 36th week.
What means fixed is less likely baby will turn and remain in this vertical head down position until birth.

But baby only get engaged 2-4 weeks prior to labor (for first timers). What do I mean by engaged, is head is stationing and engaging in pelvix.

Technically, by books for second time mothers baby is likely be engaged few hours to a few days before actual labor. Not like primaparous 2-4 weeks before labor.

How do you know enagedis by experiencing frequent trips to restroom to empty bladder and by feeling much more comfort while breathing and eating without much of heart burn. This is also called lightening.

Now analysis,
since you have experienced this by 31st week and don't experience more than 2-4 bhc per day you are less likely get in to labor. I think your baby is yet to be engaged.

Although books say this is a normal pattern for primaparous and less likely for multiparous (like yours), I think book never says this can't happen to multiparous.

Take my own example, Advait was engaged only when I was in real labor, although I was a primaparous mother. So this means I was off the book case. Book suggest not insist.

What would be suggestion:
1. Have an internal check up or an ultrasound done around 34th week.
2. Take a fetal fibronectin test, the test is known to estimate labor in queue within next 14 days. Rule is not to have intercourse 24 hours prior to test.
3. I would suggest avoid intercourse or extensive jobs here after for another 2-3 weeks -till you complete 36 weeks.
4. Keep well hydrated and of course keep eye on baby movements and braxton hicks contraction. However bhc are not going to get you in labor will only let us estimate if the cervix is being effaced without any internal examination -trust me this is a very crude and qualitative way to judge not an absolute so do not get alarmed.

5. Try and limit your walks until 36 weeks completion.

I am not worried at all because any event to me it looks you will cross 38 weeks or so. If your baby is not yet engaged!!!!!

Let me know how do you feel with reference to lightening symptoms.
Also have you lost mucous plug?

Archie