One of the signs that you're getting closer to labor is when your baby drops. Don't take information technology to the bank, though, since it's not the virtually reliable of signs. After all, labor tin nevertheless be weeks abroad even after baby has dropped… or babe might non drop at all until you're well into labor. Here'due south what you lot should know nigh baby dropping.

What is "babe dropping"?

Dropping is when a infant descends lower into the pelvis in training for birth. Too called "lightening," dropping is a sign that baby's presenting part (aka the first function of the torso out — usually the head) has engaged in mom'southward pelvic cavity.

When does babe drib?

While it'southward different for every momhoped-for, babies will usually drop effectually two to four weeks earlier delivery in a first pregnancy. In subsequent pregnancies, babies usually don't driblet until mom is in labor. There'southward a theory why that's the instance for so many second timers: It could be because your trunk already knows what to do, then your pelvis needs less prep fourth dimension.

Does baby always drop earlier you go into labor?

Your baby won't necessarily drop before labor begins — whether information technology's your get-go pregnancy or a subsequent i. If yours doesn't, don't worry. When (or even whether) infant drops has no bear on on your labor. Plenty of moms sheet through childbirth even if their babe didn't driblet before labor began.

What does it feel similar when babe drops?

Information technology isn't always noticeable when your baby drops. That's considering dropping isn't a sudden process, but rather one that occurs gradually, over time.

What's more, a lot depends on how y'all're carrying. For instance, if you've been conveying low throughout your pregnancy, yous might not exist able to tell the deviation later baby drops. If you've been conveying loftier, however, you would more probable notice that infant has dropped — both considering of how you look (a lower abdomen bump) and how you lot feel (more than room in your lungs, more than force per unit area on your bladder).

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8 signs of babe dropping, or lightening

What will clue you in to the fact that baby has dropped? Here's what to look for:

  1. A lower belly position. If your baby drops, you lot might find that your infant bump seems lower and titled farther forward than it did before.
  2. Better animate. Once your baby drops, in that location'southward less upward pressure from the uterus on your diaphragm and you lot'll exist able to take bigger and deeper breaths — which means you'll exist able to breathe easier… literally.
  3. Easier eating. Decreased pressure on the stomach from your uterus (now that babe has dropped) may mean your stomach won't be so squished anymore, making eating a full repast more comfortable… and it won't be accompanied by a side of heartburn and indigestion anymore.
  4. Increased demand to pee. Pressure on the bladder thanks (or no thanks) to a babe who has dropped lower into the pelvis may send you to the bathroom more than frequently.
  5. Pelvic pain. With baby lower in the pelvis, yous're likely to feel more pressure and hurting downwards below. This could come in the form of sharp shooting hurting (similar to lightning crotch) or pressure in the perineal area.
  6. Changes in your gait. With baby pressing on your pelvic joints, you may find it harder to walk… or yous may find yourself waddling more than walking. Your sense of balance may as well feel off — likely due to the fact that your center of gravity has shifted yet once more.
  7. Dorsum pain. With all this new pressure lower downward, y'all didn't remember your back would be spared, did you? When baby drops, that beautiful (at present lower down) noggin may put more force per unit area on the joints and muscles in your lower dorsum, resulting in (more) back hurting.
  8. Hemorrhoids. More pressure down below isn't always best for everything down below, including the veins in the pelvis and rectum. More pressure on the veins of the rectum (due to babe dropping) may worsen hemorrhoids or cause them to appear for the first fourth dimension.

Tips for helping your baby driblet

While there'due south no scientific data that points to a proven way to get your baby to drop into identify before labor, there is plenty of anecdotal advice that can aid head baby in that direction. Here's what you lot can try:

  • Walking. Walking tin relax the pelvic muscles and open the hips. That, plus an assist from gravity, can help the lightening process along.
  • Squatting. If walking opens up the hips, imagine how much more so squatting volition. Utilize a birthing ball to aid you maintain the squatting position if y'all're a squatting-while-pregnant novice. Gently rocking on the birthing ball can also help nudge your babe lower into your pelvic cavity.
  • Pelvic tilts. The rocking move that can aid become infant to move into the pelvic region tin can also be achieved through pelvic tilts. A peachy way to exercise them late in pregnancy is on your hands and knees. Gently tilt your pelvis frontward while relaxing your lower dorsum. Repeat a few times.

Knowing that your baby has dropped will also let you know that baby is gearing up for the large D-twenty-four hour period. Heady times ahead!

Labor In Just 3 Words

Practiced luck, Heidi Murkoff