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Just wanting some advice.

Tiffany, see my other post. -2 is NOT engaged! The scale is -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4. 0 is engaged. Dropping is completely different and is synonymous with Lightening. Here is a excerpt from WebMD: Lightening ("dropping"): The term lightening refers to a descent into the pelvis that causes the abdomen to protrude at a lower position than before, resulting in a sense of reduced pressure and crowding in the upper abdomen. What most pregnancy books fail to tell you is that it is a very subjective phenomenon and not experienced by all women, first-time mothers or otherwise, to the same degree—or even at all. Once lightening has occurred (be it a few weeks prior to the onset of labor or as labor starts), you will carry your baby differently: your b___sts will probably no longer touch the top of your abdomen, and you may find it easier to breathe. On the other hand, because the baby is now being carried in a much lower position than previously, you may experience an increased urge to urinate. Note: The term lightening is often used interchangeably with the term engagement—even though the two terms mean totally different things. Engagement is a measurable and detectable event that occurs when the leading bony edge of the fetal head descends into the pelvis and reaches the level of the ischial spines (at which point the baby is said to be at zero station).

BBK, great advice! I did not drop until it was time to push!

Thanks BBK I was wondering the same thing. My notes say that I'm 3/5, meaning that three 5th of the head can still be felt externally, I think, so to be engaged i'd have to be 0/5? This dropping thing is taking weeks!!! LOL.

I'm 39 wks and the labor board showed me 50% effaced, 0 dilated, and -2. I'm glad I read this post because I wondered what that number represented and now I know its referring to engagement. Thanks! Now, I'm wondering ... what does -2 mean exactly? BBK 's post was very descriptive in what the numbers represent but what exactly does it mean? Is the baby's head still far from being engaged or is that a good sign that I'ts close because its lower than -4? I'm sure its a lame question, so sorry.