what does it mean when babies head is 2/5ths engaged?

[bellaloo]

Had my 36 week midwife appointment today. And she said baby is really low down. He's 2 5ths engaged what does that mean? This is my second baby and she told me to try and keep him in for atleast another week. She thinks I may be in early stages of labour because I've had horrendous back ache and period like pains. Baby is posterior position as well so NEED to get him to move. But I just wondered what the 2 5ths engaged meant x

 

[CoffeePuffin]

I had my 36 week appointment a few days ago and midwife also said that she was really low down, and engaged. But didn't actually say how engaged. I've have horrendous lower back ache, braxton hicks and period like pain but she didn't seem bothered.

 

[ferens06]

It means 2/5ths of your baby's head is in your pelvis moving down for birth.I've been 2/5ths engaged for about 4 weeks xx

 

[manchester1]

my midwife told me when you start to feel crampy period type pains thats when the baby is engaging!
so it sounds like nothing to worry about xx

 

[bellaloo]

It means 2/5ths of your baby's head is in your pelvis moving down for birth.I've been 2/5ths engaged for about 4 weeks xx

Is this your first baby? I was under the impression they engage earlier when its your first anyway? Dunno though :s x

 

[JayDee]

2/5th means part of baby's head is down in your pelvis vs free in your womb.
My first was 2 or 3 /5 engaged from 34 weeks but was still late (guess he got comfy so stayed there!) Not heard anything about there being a difference in engagement on 1st vs subsequent babies, will ask my midwife when I next see her I think.
It depends which way they write it as to whether 2/5 is more engaged than 3/5 because some write how much is free, others write how much is engaged - varies by area.

 

[MrsKB 82]

It depends which way they write it as to whether 2/5 is more engaged than 3/5 because some write how much is free, others write how much is engaged - varies by area.

This is so true, and so frustrating! At my 36 week appointment my midwife actually said "1/5th engaged" and wrote that on my notes. Last week a different midwife has written "2/5th" and today, a consultant said the head isn't engaged at all (although he was very rude about the midwives and another consultant).
It depends if they mean engaged or palpable doesn't it?
xxx

 

[Chellepot]

Some midwives measure engagement differently. My midwife has me at 4/5 engaged a few weeks ago meaning 1/5 had dropped into the pelvis and she could feel 4/5 of the head but another midwife would view 4/5 as almost fully engaged. I am now 2/5 engaged in her view meaning she can only feel 2/5 of the head outside the pelvis. I think it depends if it is in relation to the brim. I am assuming that as she has asked you to keep baby in another week that you have 3/5 of the head in the pelvis and only 2/5 of the head remaining until you are fully engaged. Hope this helps a bit. Sometimes mw's can be confusing lol!

 

[bellaloo]

Yeh its so confusing lol. She writes N E on my notes normally and then today she's put 2/5 in the box and she's told me he's very low down so now I'm confused as to weather she meant 2 5ths engaged or 2 5ths to go lol how confusing it this lol x

 

[bevan88]

I was worried/confused about this too following my 31 week apt yesterday, Baby is 1/5 engaged my first baby....and as much as midwife didnt say anything directly she gave me the impression or I got the feeling from her that she doubts I will go over/full term.

For the last 2 mornings I have been woken from my sleep with horrible lower back pain the type you get before your period starts ( I am thinking it may be constipation though) but as its my first I have no idea what to expect!

Baby is also measuring on the 90th Percentile on my growth chart!