Hi with DD #3 she was oblique lie, her bum under my left hip, her head above my right hip. I had PROM at 36 weeks, was told at the very small country hospital I was going to that I would need a csec in the morning ( it was 1.30 am when I arrived at hospital) contrx were 5 mins apart. they did an internal I was 3 cm dilated, and there was a foot there. I was put on a monitor at 2am and they left. By the time they came back at 3 am contrx were 1 min apart and heavy. I dont know how far dilated I was as they freaked and ran to call in the surgical team. 30 mins later I had bubs via csec. So from personal experience nope you dont have to be engaged to go into labour ( and the more bubs you ahve the less likely you are to engage before labour) #4 was no where near engaged before labour commenced. Not to get your hopes up either. Bubs will come when it wants too