How is engagement measured?

[jellybean]

Does anyone know what 5/5 enged means?! I had my ob app today and i explained that it feels like baby's head is quite low down as I am starting to feel uncomfortable and when she checked me she said that head is fairly low down but everything is ok. When I got home I saw in my notes that she has put that I am 5/5 engaged I have another 8wks to go so not sure what this means!!!

 

[AugustMum]

Ive been wondering the same time! My LO hasnt started engaging yet, but at my last appointment she was 'on the brim' so Im on the birthing ball and walking loads to get her in a good position. And like yourself starting to get a bit of pressure.

The whole 1/5th, 2/5ths thingy just confuses me. I keep reading contradicting things. :S

 

[ruthie86]

Hi

5/5 according to my NHS pregnancy notes means "free" i.e. baby not 'actually' engaged but I guess if she has put engaged it means head down towards engagement. so you can get down from 5/5 to 1/5 (1/5 would mean fully engaged). the fact they she has even said engaged at 32 weeks is great as it means baby is in good position for labour!

i am 37 weeks and 2/5 engaged but aparently it doesn't correlate to early delivery etc.

Hope this helps

 

[megsmeadow]

I think there's some confusion around 5/5th engaged and 5/5th palpable. Basically when engaged the first number is how much of the baby's head is down in the pelvis, but when pelpable the first number can is how much of the baby's head the midwife can feel above the pelvis . If baby is not engaged the head is said to be 'free' or 5/5ths palpable. Then when baby starts to drop it'll be 1/5th engaged or 4/5ths palpable, then 2/5ths engaged and 3/5ths palpable. So when fully engaged the baby will be 5/5ths engaged, or 0/5ths palpable. That's my understanding anyway.

 

[x-Hannah-x]

I'm confused because my midwife doesn't write 5/5 or 1/5 or anything she just writes "in the brim" which doesn't really tell me anything!!
x

 

[AugustMum]

Mine wrote 'on the brim' at my last appointment, and baby was basically ready to engage but hadn't started engaging yet. She said over the next few weeks though baby should start moving down.

 

[x-Hannah-x]

So I'm thinking that "in the brim" means engaged then, might be wrong though.
x

 

[evajo]

It means almost engaging - in right position but not "in" the pelvis as yet x

 

[jellybean]

Thanks ladies, all sounds like it is down to individual interpretation I guess!! I should just be pleased that she is heading in the right position!!

 

[x-Hannah-x]

Grr I hope something happens soon as I'm feeling like crap today
x

 

[katiejane]

Wow this is getting confusing, but megsmeadow i think that was a brilliant explaination - have you been on wilkipedia again lol. Right my babies been head down for weeks and is pretty much fully engaged now, they said he was at least 3/5ths engaged but the MW thought it was probably more than that and wouldn't be long until he is fully engaged. My understanding is if your babies on the brim Hannah she's not engaged just yet honey, but it head down and should start to engage soon. Bouncing on a exercise ball and crawling about on all fours is supposed to help, but some babys don't actually engage until labour, i've been having on and off contractions since last wednesday, although they've been quiet again today. But i'm sure our's babies will all be here soon xx