Braxton hicks and 2/5 engaged - any indication of how long until labour begins?

[BumbleAw]

FTM - I'm 35 weeks and at my 32 week ultrasound the lady told me our baby was very low down, confirmed by my midwife yesterday who said my bump had dropped and marked in my notes that he was 2/5 engaged - does that mean he is two fifths of the way into my pelvis? I tried to Google it but wasn't entirely sure

I've also been having very strong braxton hicks for the last few days, with period like cramping and my stomach turing completely rock solid. I know this is different from labour pains, but just wondering how long after people had these things that their actual labour begun? I'm planning to work for another 4 weeks until 31st July, but if he's likely to arrive ahead of my due date (8th August) I may ask to change that so I don't start labour at work or have any time to rest before it begins! 😅

It all means nothing 😅

Obviously being engaged is a good thing but even being 5/5 isn’t a predictor for labour starting.
The best mindset to have is just that baby will arrive when baby is ready, try not to predict or think too much about it as it’ll drive you mad!

Thank you! This is sort of what I figured, I just would quite like a couple of days rest from work before baby arrives and it's so hard to plan! I guess that's the thing with childbirth, it'll happen when it happens so just have to hope for the best 😅

Hey! I'm 32wks with my 2nd, 3/5 engaged and also having braxton hicks...not expecting her to appear for another 6-8wks though! My son was also engaged early and I had constant BH from 38wks... but he was born almost two weeks late at 41+4.

Hopefully you'll still get a week or so after starting maternity leave to rest ☺️ (no guarantees of course).