Right whats the deal with level of engagement?

jkbmah · Oct 11th, 2010, 12:22 PM

I am very confused - i am currently 3/5ths engaged - does this mean i have 2/5ths to go or that I have 3/5ths to go?

essentially from what ive read it seems to be the wrong way round to what it sounds like it should be, ie 5/5ths is not engaged at all and 0/5ths is fully engaged? - Is this right?

If it is right i dont really understand why it is this way round?

gemabee · Oct 11th, 2010, 12:26 PM

3/5ths means u have 2/5ths to go.
when the midwife says ur 3/5ths palpable thats when u still have 3/5ths to go.
xx

Nonethewiser · Oct 11th, 2010, 12:32 PM

What if it just says 3/5ths. And it doesn't say neither palpable or engaged - anyone had this?? x

Khloeee · Oct 11th, 2010, 12:37 PM

I googled this earlier as I only just realised the MW had written the fractions in my notes. My latest one says 2/5ths palpable, which means she was able to feel two fifths of the head above the pelvis, so the other 3/5ths is engaged. Maybe if it doesn't say 'palp' then it means 3/5ths engaged?

gemabee · Oct 11th, 2010, 12:37 PM

i think it depends on each midwife... or it might say it on the top of ur notes?
x

crazyrae · Oct 11th, 2010, 12:42 PM

Nonethewiser, does it say that on your notes in one of the columns they fill in, as the notes in UK forms mean palpable as far as I am aware...
Another way to tell is whether there were higher or lower numbers previously - e.g. mine said 4/5 a few weeks before then 3/5 at my last one, so the lower the number the more he has moved down (so mine mean palpable)! (although babies do move up and down so not a definite way to tell I guess!)

jkbmah · Oct 11th, 2010, 12:47 PM

hmm it just says 3/5ths on my notes, so that means i only have 2/5ths to go?

the NCT says this.....NE, NEng, Not Eng (not engaged) or ‘free’ means that baby’s head is above your pelvis. 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, 4/5 refer either to how much of the head can be felt above your pelvis or to how much of it is in your pelvis (ask your midwife which). Your baby is engaged once 3/5 of the head is in your pelvis. E or Eng = Engaged.

so it can be either...? how irritating?

minties · Oct 11th, 2010, 13:24 PM

According to my pregnancy books, it's meant to be the other way around to what midwives actualy do!

Decent into the pelvis should go:

-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
-0 (100% engaged)

Then (as baby is being born)

+1
+2
+3
+4
+5

But no midwives do it like this. It's a current book as well so makes no sense to me.

jkbmah · Oct 11th, 2010, 16:07 PM

hmmm, ive just come from an NCT class so asked the teacher - she says that it should say a + or - as well. But if it doesnt then who knows!!

a minefield and definately one to ask the midwife i think

Oct 11th, 2010, 12:22 PM	#1
jkbmah Other Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Stockport - UK Posts: 639	Right whats the deal with level of engagement? I am very confused - i am currently 3/5ths engaged - does this mean i have 2/5ths to go or that I have 3/5ths to go? essentially from what ive read it seems to be the wrong way round to what it sounds like it should be, ie 5/5ths is not engaged at all and 0/5ths is fully engaged? - Is this right? If it is right i dont really understand why it is this way round?

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Oct 11th, 2010, 12:26 PM	#2
gemabee Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Teesside Posts: 3,853	3/5ths means u have 2/5ths to go. when the midwife says ur 3/5ths palpable thats when u still have 3/5ths to go. xx

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Oct 11th, 2010, 12:32 PM	#3
Nonethewiser Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 126	What if it just says 3/5ths. And it doesn't say neither palpable or engaged - anyone had this?? x

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Oct 11th, 2010, 12:37 PM	#4
Khloeee Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: London UK Posts: 1,192	I googled this earlier as I only just realised the MW had written the fractions in my notes. My latest one says 2/5ths palpable, which means she was able to feel two fifths of the head above the pelvis, so the other 3/5ths is engaged. Maybe if it doesn't say 'palp' then it means 3/5ths engaged?

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Oct 11th, 2010, 12:37 PM	#5
gemabee Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Teesside Posts: 3,853	i think it depends on each midwife... or it might say it on the top of ur notes? x

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Oct 11th, 2010, 12:42 PM	#6
crazyrae Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: London, UK Posts: 454	Nonethewiser, does it say that on your notes in one of the columns they fill in, as the notes in UK forms mean palpable as far as I am aware... Another way to tell is whether there were higher or lower numbers previously - e.g. mine said 4/5 a few weeks before then 3/5 at my last one, so the lower the number the more he has moved down (so mine mean palpable)! (although babies do move up and down so not a definite way to tell I guess!)

Status: Offline

Oct 11th, 2010, 12:47 PM	#7
jkbmah Other Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Stockport - UK Posts: 639	hmm it just says 3/5ths on my notes, so that means i only have 2/5ths to go? the NCT says this.....NE, NEng, Not Eng (not engaged) or ‘free’ means that baby’s head is above your pelvis. 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, 4/5 refer either to how much of the head can be felt above your pelvis or to how much of it is in your pelvis (ask your midwife which). Your baby is engaged once 3/5 of the head is in your pelvis. E or Eng = Engaged. so it can be either...? how irritating?

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Oct 11th, 2010, 13:24 PM	#8
minties Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 6,146	According to my pregnancy books, it's meant to be the other way around to what midwives actualy do! Decent into the pelvis should go: -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -0 (100% engaged) Then (as baby is being born) +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 But no midwives do it like this. It's a current book as well so makes no sense to me.

Status: Offline

Oct 11th, 2010, 16:07 PM	#9
jkbmah Other Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Stockport - UK Posts: 639	hmmm, ive just come from an NCT class so asked the teacher - she says that it should say a + or - as well. But if it doesnt then who knows!! a minefield and definately one to ask the midwife i think

Status: Offline

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