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Original poster

engagement of babies head?!?!?!

14 replies

birdbrain17 · 28/02/2013 13:24

I went for my 34 week check up yesterday and told the midwife I had been feeling a lot of pressure low down and asked her to check which way the baby was lying as last time the mw wasn't sure. She told me it's head down and wrote on my notes 1/5 engaged. according to the little explanation box in the notes this means it's nearly fully engaged. Does anyone know how long it takes for first babies to fully engage?!
I know with first time it's normal for the baby to engage a couple of weeks before it's born so just trying to prepare myself if it's gonna come really early, I was supposed to working till 38 weeks....
Thanks in advance Smile

p.s I'm 34+4 at the moment

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WheresMyCow · 28/02/2013 13:30

Can't remember how the engaged thing works, but my DS still wasn't engaged at my last midwifes appointment 4 days before he was born. He was still only on the brim.

I think that the day before he was born he did move lower, but he only became fully engaged after my waters had broken.

I don't think that there is a standard time for the head to engage, although hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along in a minute.

Good luck Grin

sundaesundae · 28/02/2013 13:46

Surely 1/5th engaged is only just engaged, 1/5th palpable would be very engaged?

5madthings · 28/02/2013 13:51

Doesn't mean anything about when you go into lab our, the baby may well in engage numerous times between now and when its born!

Mine all engaged really early on and stayed engaged, I am short and my babies were big so they didn't have much choice. They were all two weeks late...

ZuleikaD · 28/02/2013 14:02

Yes, 1/5 engaged means top of head only just below the brim. All mine have engaged really early - like about 30 weeks - and even though I've still got three weeks to go the current one is 4/5 down. Both the first two were late - DS nearly 2 weeks. It has more to do with the shape of your stomach muscles than when you'll go into labour.

leannac · 28/02/2013 15:00

Mine has been fully engaged for 6 wks now & no signs if coming anytime soon!

MsIngaFewmarbles · 28/02/2013 15:08

Student MW here! bird, yes 1/5 engaged is only slightly into the pelvis. 1/5 palpable means the MW could only feel 1/5 of the baby's head so it is well down into the pelvis.

All babies and women are different, some babies engage very early, some not fully engaged until well into labour. It makes no difference TBH. Sorry I know you are looking for definite answers but really there aren't any.

Original poster
birdbrain17 · 28/02/2013 17:43

Thanks everyone, very reassuring what you are all saying. In my hospital notes it has an explanation for what the midwife fills in and for the box about engagement it says 5/5 means thats not engaged and 1/5 means nearly fully so I guess really when they mean palpable not engaged...but it's good to know it can be engaged for ages before labour!

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sundaesundae · 28/02/2013 17:47

Mine wrote down 3/5 today after telling me she is 3/5ths engaged and only 2/5ths palpable. So confusing!

Original poster
birdbrain17 · 28/02/2013 18:35

The confusing thing is she didn't actually tell me just said which way the baby way lying (head down) but then she said from a couple of weeks time I could expect the baby any day...a couple of weeks would make me just about 37 I thought you're not supposed to expect it till 38 but from 37 there wouldn't be problem?! Confused

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sundaesundae · 28/02/2013 18:38

I'm 37 weeks on Saturday and was told I could have her any day from now apparently... I haven't finished work yet so I hope I have a few weeeks to go!

brettgirl2 · 28/02/2013 20:43

I really dont think it means anything at all. dd2 engaged by 34 weeks and stayed that way for 6 and a half long weeks Shock

Discolite · 28/02/2013 21:28

Babies are considered term from 37-42 weeks. So your midwife is right!

sundaesundae · 01/03/2013 08:52

Oh I know it is ok... she kind of meant she thinks I won't go to 40 weeks apparently. Which means I will go to 42! :0)

Original poster
birdbrain17 · 01/03/2013 09:15

sundae I also have 2 and a half more weeks at work which is why she worried me a bit but you're right because I'm nervous about having it early it's typical I'll go to 42 and have to be induced lol

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