1/5 engaged?! What does this mean?

[Yorkymidge]

Hi,
I am 34 weeks pregnant and had a midwife visit today. I mentioned that for the past few days i’ve been having severe pressure down below and on my ribs/back. She felt my bump and was surprised saying that the baby was engaged, although his bum was in my rib and therefore causing rib discomfort. When i’ve looked at my notes it says 1/5 engaged but when i’ve googled this, some people say that 1/5 is only slightly engaged and some say it’s fully engaged and it’s left me slightly confused. Any one have any tips? And does being engaged at such an early stage (she said it was an unusual position at 34 weeks) mean that i will go into labour earlier?

It means a little engaged, a score of 5/5 would be fully, a score of 0/5 would be not engaged

Sometimes it’s written 1/5 engaged but it can be 1/5 palpable which is the opposite; 1 fifth is free and can still be felt (palpated).

It means nothing re labour. First babies do engage earlier but it won't affect when labour starts.

Sometimes midwives write "1/5 palpable", which means 4/5 is engaged. Sometimes they write "1/5 engaged", which is of course only a little bit engaged (and the baby may well move back up out of that position). I think this is where the confusion comes from though - it's worth checking your notes for the exact wording.

@evilgiraffe thank you, that’s the first time it’s made sense to me!

Since i’m having a lot of pulling sensation down there does that mean he will arrive sooner? Worried that he’s going to be a Christmas baby!

How quick do they tend to become fully engaged?

Thank you

Some don’t fully engage until labour and delivery.

Others sit on the launchpad for week+ prior to delivery. Some dip in and out being engaged before actually settling in. They don’t like to follow textbooks.

I have hypermobilty and my first would engage then pop back out again. Was about 34 weeks when it started. I would feel a great pressure between my legs and could hardly walk as I felt like I was smuggling a bowling ball. Apparently very unusual with your first. She didn't fully engage until I was in labour. Oh and she was almost 2 weeks late so you never know!

First babies commonly engage early. Usually 30 weeks +. It doesn't mean anything in terms of how imminent labour is likely to be. Unless you have other signs alongside obviously!

Subsequent babies don't tend to engage until labour is imminent or begins so it's more of an indicator then. Even so though, they can pop in and out of engagement!

My first was engaged from 32 weeks. Came at 40+6!