32 +5 and 1/5 engaged... do we think DS will come early :-)?

[bumpitybumpbump]

this is my second and when examining me this morning my MW said ooh, baby's very low. Didn't think much of it (explains the pelvis pain...), but see in my notes it now says head 1/5 engaged...which is all sounds VERY EXCITING! But having googled what 1/5 engaged means exactly I'm now very confused - have I got 4/5th to go or only 1/5th?! And is (either) a good sign at 32 weeks? My DD1 arrived on her due date and I've secretly been hoping DS will come early - mostly because I am totally fed up with pregnancy and am ready to meet the little man! Any theories/experience to share?

How engaged the baby is (whether 1/5 engaged or 1/5 palpable) has no bearing on when labour will start. My first was fully engaged and fixed at 31 weeks and was born at full term.

Particularly in second pregnancies, the baby pops in and out of being engaged and it is meaningless.

And bear in mind that you might be ready to meet your baby but at 32 weeks, he is almost certainly better off waiting at least another 5 weeks.

Thanks Showy - to be clear - I'm not hoping to meet him quite yet - but would like to at 38/9 weeks rather than 40 +

This baby is a manic wriggler to be fair so perhaps he'll be popping in and out all the time. It's not very comfortable with his head down there so maybe I should be hoping he disengages again!

Oh I know you didn't want him too early. Just worth remembering that a normal pregnancy is 37-42 weeks so you could be waiting another 9/10 weeks at the outset. Best to be prepared for the eventuality. Chances are with a 2nd pregnancy it won't be that long but you never know.

DD was engaged for weeks and weeks and it was bloody uncomfortable towards the end! DS never engaged at all and I could practically run a marathon by the end. Well, not run, waddle. Well you know, shuffle to the fridge quite happily. It's all relative!