Does urinary frequency decrease once the baby has engaged?

After the fetus engages (descends into the pelvis), urinary frequency may persist due to pressure exerted by the fetal presenting part on the bladder, leading to both difficulty walking and increased urination. Other symptoms of pelvic pressure may also occur, such as pain over the pubic symphysis or discomfort in the inner thighs—these are relatively common following fetal engagement.

Engagement refers to the process occurring in late pregnancy wherein the fetus, surrounded by amniotic fluid and fetal membranes, assumes a head-down, buttocks-up, fully flexed position, allowing its head to pass through the maternal pelvic inlet and enter the pelvic cavity—thereby stabilizing its position within the pelvis. Typically, fetal engagement occurs between 36 and 38 weeks of gestation; however, some fetuses may engage as early as 33–34 weeks, while others may not engage until labor begins.