When a baby's head should engage

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Although the baby's head usually engages into the pelvis towards the end of a first pregnancy, this isn't the case with subsequent babies because the muscles aren't always strong enough to hold him in place. It may be that the head doesn't engage until you're in labour, which is fine. Usually, once your waters break, your baby will drop lower into the pelvis.

Towards the end of your pregnancy, your midwife will feel how far your baby's head has moved down into your pelvis. She'll then describe in fifths how much of your baby's head can be felt above the brim of the pelvis. If all of the head can be felt, it's described as 5/5 palpable. If it's engaged, it would be 2/5.

With a first baby, the head often engages before labour, but this isn't usually the case with subsequent pregnancies. Some women say they can feel when the head has engaged, or 'dropped', as their bump feels lower and they've less pressure under their ribs.

Anne Richley, midwife.

By Anne Richley

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charlene, 4 months

im 34 weeks pregnant and the midwife has told me the baby is 4/5 engaged now does this mean i could have him early because people keep telling me he has engaged quite early.

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iram shezadi, about 1 year

hi, i,m 37 weeks and +2 days pregnant and i think i,m having a little pain in my lower stomach, will my labour start soon?

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michelle webb, about 1 year

my water broke yestarday and have been getting contraction since 4 this morning when do you think i should go in to hospital

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