1 of the signs that you're getting closer to labor is when your baby drops. Don't take information technology to the depository financial institution, though, since information technology's not the most reliable of signs. Later all, labor can still be weeks away even later on baby has dropped… or baby might not drop at all until y'all're well into labor. Hither's what you should know most baby dropping.

What is "baby dropping"?

Dropping is when a baby descends lower into the pelvis in preparation for birth. Also called "lightening," dropping is a sign that baby's presenting function (aka the first function of the trunk out — usually the head) has engaged in mom'due south pelvic cavity.

When does babe driblet?

While it'due south unlike for every momhoped-for, babies volition ordinarily drop effectually two to four weeks before delivery in a first pregnancy. In subsequent pregnancies, babies usually don't drib until mom is in labor. There's a theory why that'southward the case for so many 2d timers: It could be because your body already knows what to exercise, so your pelvis needs less prep fourth dimension.

Does baby always drop before y'all become into labor?

Your infant won't necessarily driblet before labor begins — whether information technology'south your showtime pregnancy or a subsequent one. If yours doesn't, don't worry. When (or even whether) baby drops has no touch on your labor. Plenty of moms canvas through childbirth even if their babe didn't drop before labor began.

What does it experience like when baby drops?

Information technology isn't always noticeable when your infant 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 you're carrying. For instance, if y'all've been conveying depression throughout your pregnancy, y'all might not be able to tell the departure subsequently infant drops. If you've been carrying loftier, however, you would more likely notice that babe has dropped — both because of how you look (a lower belly bump) and how you lot feel (more room in your lungs, more pressure on your bladder).

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8 signs of baby dropping, or lightening

What will clue you lot in to the fact that infant has dropped? Here'due south what to look for:

  1. A lower belly position. If your baby drops, you lot might notice that your baby bump seems lower and titled further forwards than it did before.
  2. Better breathing. Once your infant drops, in that location's less upward pressure from the uterus on your diaphragm and yous'll exist able to take bigger and deeper breaths — which means you lot'll exist able to breathe easier… literally.
  3. Easier eating. Decreased pressure on the breadbasket from your uterus (now that baby has dropped) may mean your stomach won't be so squished anymore, making eating a full meal more comfortable… and it won't be accompanied by a side of heartburn and indigestion anymore.
  4. Increased need to pee. Pressure level on the float thanks (or no cheers) to a baby who has dropped lower into the pelvis may transport y'all to the bath more often.
  5. Pelvic pain. With babe lower in the pelvis, you're probable to feel more force per unit area and hurting down below. This could come up in the form of precipitous shooting pain (similar to lightning crotch) or pressure level in the perineal expanse.
  6. Changes in your gait. With baby pressing on your pelvic joints, you lot may discover information technology harder to walk… or you may find yourself waddling more walking. Your sense of balance may also feel off — probable due to the fact that your heart of gravity has shifted yet again.
  7. Dorsum pain. With all this new pressure lower down, y'all didn't think your back would be spared, did you? When baby drops, that cute (now lower down) noggin may put more pressure on the joints and muscles in your lower back, resulting in (more) back hurting.
  8. Hemorrhoids. More pressure down below isn't e'er 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 get-go time.

Tips for helping your infant drib

While there's no scientific information that points to a proven way to get your baby to drib into place earlier labor, there is plenty of anecdotal advice that tin can help head baby in that management. Hither's what you can try:

  • Walking. Walking tin relax the pelvic muscles and open up the hips. That, plus an assist from gravity, can assist the lightening process forth.
  • Squatting. If walking opens up the hips, imagine how much more so squatting will. Use a birthing brawl to help you maintain the squatting position if y'all're a squatting-while-significant novice. Gently rocking on the birthing ball can also assistance nudge your babe lower into your pelvic cavity.
  • Pelvic tilts. The rocking movement that can assist become baby to move into the pelvic region can also be achieved through pelvic tilts. A great way to do them late in pregnancy is on your hands and knees. Gently tilt your pelvis forrard while relaxing your lower back. Repeat a few times.

Knowing that your babe has dropped volition also let you know that infant is gearing up for the big D-day. Exciting times ahead!

Labor In Only 3 Words

Adept luck, Heidi Murkoff