A woman's pregnancy bump may look like it is sitting lower when the baby drops. As the baby drops into the pelvis, the pressure in this area may increase. This may cause a woman to feel like she is waddling when she walks. When the baby drops, some women may experience flashes of pelvic pain.
When your baby drops, you may feel it all at once, as a noticeable downward movement. Or you may not even notice. You're likely to feel "lighter," though, now that there's more space and your baby is no longer pressing on your diaphragm.
In first-time mothers, dropping usually occurs 2 to 4 weeks before delivery, but it can happen earlier. In women who have already had children, the baby may not drop until labor begins.
Many pregnant women notice some physical changes after their baby drops. Your bump is likely to change shape and you may find that some pregnancy symptoms get worse, while others improve. Your baby will be taking up more room in your pelvis and putting pressure on your bladder and rectum.
When your baby drops there will be more room for your stomach to fill up with food. Less heartburn: Pressure on the stomach also causes a common symptom in pregnancy—heartburn.
A woman's pregnancy bump may look like it is sitting lower when the baby drops. As the baby drops into the pelvis, the pressure in this area may increase. This may cause a woman to feel like she is waddling when she walks. When the baby drops, some women may experience flashes of pelvic pain.
Belly appears lower: This may take a while for you to notice, especially if the drop happens slowly. You may find that your belly rests much lower than it did all the time during pregnancy. So, in order to find if your baby has dropped, you may rely on this upon your doctor or family.
Your baby's head is engaged in your pelvis
Once your baby "drops", you may feel larger rolls — along with every move of baby's head on the cervix, which may feel like sharp electric twinges down there. But you'll still feel baby moving every day when all is well.
If you have any of these signs or symptoms before your 37th week of pregnancy, you may be experiencing preterm labor: Change in your vaginal discharge (watery, mucus or bloody) or more vaginal discharge than usual. Pressure in your pelvis or lower belly, like your baby is pushing down. Constant low, dull backache.
In the last weeks, some time before birth, the baby's head should move down into your pelvis. When your baby's head moves down like this, it's said to be "engaged". When this happens, you may notice your bump seems to move down a little.
Some women report if feels a bit like bubbles popping. Other moms have said it feels like that stomach-drop kind of feeling you get on a roller coaster.
Symptoms not to ignore when you're 36 weeks pregnant
You have a persistent headache or visual disturbance. If your feet/ankles/hands or face are unusually swollen. You experience vaginal bleeding. You have an unusual coloured discharge.
Leaning forward while squatting enlarges the pelvic outlet and can promote fetal descent. After an epidural, women can sit upright with the bed's foot slightly lowered and the legs positioned in a natural squatting position.
Movement and Kicking in the Pubic Area
But don't worry, fetal movements in the pubic area are normal and very common, if not annoying. Call your doctor if you feel any kicking in your vagina, as a vaginal kick could indicate a rare but serious complication called cervical insufficiency.
Key Takeaways at 32 Weeks Pregnant
Soon, baby will “drop” from up near your ribs to down near your pelvis. When this happens, you may notice you suddenly go from “carrying high” to “carrying low.” Baby is most likely positioned head down at this point.
When do you lose your mucus plug? Most people don't lose their mucus plug until after 37 weeks of pregnancy. In some cases, losing the mucus plug happens days or weeks before your baby's due date. Some people don't lose it until they're in labor.
Signs From Baby's Position
The head “drops” into the pelvis by a couple centimeters. This can happen from a few days or even just a few hours before the onset of labor.
Even more interesting, some women will have their baby drop between 35-36 weeks but then move back up closer to their due date. In almost every case, this is not something you should worry about, but if you feel concerned you should contact your doctor.