2nd babies engage late?

[GirlWithTheMouseyHair]

due date today, had a sweep yesterday and apparently my cervix is open but in the case of first abby this would mean things imminent, not so the second. BH on and off painful and stronger but def still BH not labour so I don't think the sweep has worked.

Baby isn't engaged at all though - midwife has said they don't until the last minute 2nd and subsequent times around, what are your experiences? Could I still go into labour very soon or is it wishful thinking until the baby is at least a little bit engaged?

My second never really properly engaged (I can't remember which way the measurements go but I was 2/5 if that is less than half way engaged)- it was really obvious how high my bump was. Midwife said they can pop in and out 2nd time but I know he never even popped in. Was good as I never felt I waddled or that pressure on my bladder.

However on my due date waters went, had to go to hospital straight away (meconium in waters) and I still wasn't properly engaged even though I was contracting. Midwife says that once it engages it can be very quick - 20 mins from 3 cms to birth she'd seen recently - in fact I managed 11 mins (though that might have been because I was being induced too because of the meconium).

Good luck! (Oh and hope I haven't scared you now re swift birth!)

don't worry, am half expecting a swift birth, DS was 3.5hours established labour, half an hour from 7cm to birth, 6min second stage so midwife has told me to call her the second I think things might be moving!

Thankyou for the anecdotal evidence, exactly what I want to hear!