Baby dropping may feel like a sudden, noticeable movement for some women, while others may not feel it happening. Baby dropping, or lightening, may make it easier to breathe and increase appetite. This is because there is more space in the abdomen and less pressure on organs.
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. You may or may not notice a change in the shape of your abdomen after dropping.
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.
There is no set day or week that women should expect their baby to drop. For some women, baby dropping happens just as labor starts or a few hours before. For other women, it may happen a few weeks before labor begins. Baby dropping might happen closer to labor for women who have had babies before.
If your baby is head down and facing your back (OA position), you'll probably feel kicks under your ribs. You'll also be able to feel the hard, rounded surface of your baby's back, which will be on one side of your belly.
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.
-3 station: The baby has settled into a heads-down position—usually within weeks 32 to 36 (although it can happen as late as just as labor is beginning)—with the top of the head just above the pelvic bone. 0 station: The baby has descended to the point that the head has reached the bottom of the pelvis.
Very active baby before labor
Some women experience their baby moving a lot in the run-up to labor. One theory for this is the increase in Braxton Hicks contractions. As your body prepares for labor and birth, you might start to experience a greater frequency of Braxton Hicks contractions.
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.
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.
While falls can cause serious injuries for babies, most falls are minor and your baby will get better on their own with rest. If they fall from over 3 feet, onto a hard surface, or have symptoms of an injury, get medical help.
You may start to feel pressure in your vagina or pelvis. “This may be due to 'lightening,' which is when the baby drops down from the abdomen. Some women feel lightening as pelvic pressure or even low back pain,” says Dr. Emery.
Whichever is the case, be it first-time mothers or mothers with a second baby, it is normal for them to experience pelvic pain after the baby drops. However, there are some types of pelvic pain that may need a doctor's attention. You should speak to a doctor if the pelvic pain is constant or regular.
Sudden or severe swelling in your face, hands or fingers. A severe headache or one that doesn't go away. Pain or cramping in your lower abdomen or severe back pain. Pain or burning when you urinate or decreased urine output.
In all, carrying a baby low at the end of pregnancy doesn't mean labor will be shorter, happen sooner, or be a breeze. It is reassuring that your body is preparing, so be kind to yourself and get plenty of rest ahead of the big day!
Gently bouncing on an exercise ball to induce labor not only encourages baby to move down and in turn assist with cervix dilation, but it can also soothe baby, Green says.
Figure 11.5 Press firmly with your fingers just above the pubic bone to see if you can feel the baby's head. 3 If the shape is not clearly round, it may be the baby's face or the baby's bottom that you can feel. Or sometimes the baby's bottom is up, but the head is not straight down (Figure 11.6a and b).
If your baby's head has dropped down into the pelvis to prepare for delivery, they may be less active. Your baby is too small for their movement to be felt regularly. This is common in the second trimester.
Depending on your stage of pregnancy, your body type, and even the time of day, sometimes your belly will feel soft and other times it will feel tight and hard. The reality is, there's no normal to compare yourself with. Pregnant bellies come in all shapes, sizes, and firmness.