Baby Head Down at Term: What to Expect & Potential Delivery Timeline

Question
I am 24, I have a 4 year old boy. My baby is due OCt.14,2004. I had my son at 37 weeks and 5 days. I had to have a c-section because he was too big for me. I have a c-section booked on the 8th of October. I went for an ultrasound today and the lady commented on how the baby was way down in my pelvis and didn't have any room to move. She also said she weight about 6 pounds. I am wondering if because she is already head down, if that means she will be coming early? Everyone tells me that your second child doesn't drop so there isn't a little bit of a warning. Can they just stay head down for a while or does it kinda give a time frame for when labor might start. Thanks Lauren

Answer
The baby can be head down for most of the pregnancy. It does not mean that you will go into labor sooner if the head is down at your stage of pregnancy. The likelihood that you will go into labor prior to your scheduled C-section is small. If you do go into labor (contractions at the level of your belly button, more frequent than 10 minutes apart (from the beginning of the contraction to the beginning of the next contraction) with each contraction lasting at least 45 seconds), you will call your doctor and the cesarean will be done immediately. However, if you do not go into labor, you will have the cesarean on the 8th. Don't worry.   By the way, it does not matter if it is your second pregnancy or 10th pregnacy, the baby will drop in all your pregnancies as you reach your due date.Good Luck.