Engagement- 4/5ths.......Does this mean that head is nearly fully engaged, or 4/5ths to go?

[berrybliss]

34+4 today,
Just been for general a check up and to meet my consultant. Just re-reading my notes and noticed it says 4/5ths in the engagement slot.

When I searched other threads i found that there were conficting opinions on weather this ment head was nearly fully or just a little enaged. Please could you clear this up for me!

[Lulumama]

depends if it is 4/5 palp. or not

if 4/5 palpable, then 1/5 engaged

[flowerybeanbag]

on my notes it was always 4/5 or whatever showing, i.e. still 4/5 of the head 'visible', not engaged.

So 4/5 actually means 1/5 engaged.

[flowerybeanbag]

palpable, that's the word I was trying to remember!

[berrybliss]

It doesn't say palp after it. Just 4/5th?

[Lulumama]

0/5 is fully engaged, so if not written palp, i would presume 1/5 engaged

it doesn;t make a huge amount of difference, if this is a second baby, as they can bob in and out of the pelvis for a while

if a first baby, it is good baby starting to nestle down into the pelvis

[berrybliss]

I can def feel a head down there when i bend over too far etc. (like i'm squashing it) my poor child!

[berrybliss]

Its my first. So it just means things are progressing well? Not coming anytime soon

Just worring i'm moving house On Tuesday and a little stressed just don't want Lo to make an early appearance!

[Lulumama]

try not to worry too much ! both of mine were partially engaged for 5 -6 weeks but not born until term, keep us posted x

[berrybliss]

will do! I've got a feeling he'll be hear sooner rather than later........

[berrybliss]

Oh lulumama whilst your about could you please tell me what 'Ceph' stands for?

(sorry i'm clueless and never think to ask when i'm with the MW)

[feedmenow]

Berry, ceph is cephalic - head down, not breech.

[berrybliss]

Thankyou! All questioned out for today, what would i do without mumsnet...

[mears]

When 4/5 is written down in the notes, that means the amount of head that can still be felt outside the pelvis.

The head is actually engaged when you can feel no more that 3/5.
Babies all move down at different rates. First babies tend to engae before labour starts but not within a set timescale. A ababy can be engaged weeks before labour actually starts.