Do first babies always engage fully before labour starts?

[HopingCat]

While I am only 28 weeks myself, I've got 3 friends all due in the next 4 weeks and their midwives tell them each week how many fifths engaged the babies are. It got me thinking that I don't really know what this could mean. Will the one whose baby is further engaged give birth first? Has anyone gone into labour with their first baby before the mw has said the head is engaged?

It really doesn't mean much as an engaged baby could engage itself. I doubt very much it has any bearing on labour.

I was 37+6wks when i went into labour with my first, i had been checked by the MW a few days before and head wasnt engaged. I ended up going through labour til 9 or 10cms only to be whisked off for an emergency c sec as baby was distressed and had a high head. Dont know if the high head and lack of engagment are related and I dont want to scare you but just thought I would share my experience. Couldnt have been that bad as I am due in November - will have to wait and see if I have the same problems again.

My first baby (who had a pretty large head) was not engaged. I went into labour and had him naturally although with an episiotomy.

BabiesEverywhere who posts this week was told last week that her baby was no where near engaged - her waters broke this morning and she is in labour as we speak. Afaik it is usual for first babies to be engaged before labour starts but it isn't always the case. Just one of those "every baby is different" things I'm afraid.