What does it feel like when baby drops – 8 telling signs!

Now that you’re in the final weeks of your third trimester, you might have had people asking you if your baby has dropped yet? Sounds like an odd thing to say, but don’t worry the baby can’t fall out. The baby drops when their head moves down lower into the pelvis and is getting into position ahead of the birth. 

Baby dropping is also often referred to as ‘lightening’ or being ‘engaged’ and often feels like a relief on some of your organs that have been under serious pressure from your growing belly. 

When will my baby drop?

The child can drop or become connected with whenever from a long time before birth, to two or three hours. Anyway a few ladies never experience it. There is no definite week ladies experience the child dropping, yet regularly it will be some time over the most recent couple of weeks before the child shows up.

If your baby is breech you may not experience this but even if your baby is in position, you may not notice much of a change, if at all. 

What does it feel like when the baby drops?

A few ladies depict the inclination as a careful second where they felt an arrival of strain on their organs and an ensuing "greatness" down beneath in their pelvic district. While others will see it as a slower facilitating.

Frequently when the child drops you could feel less strain on your organs as high as possible in the mid-region, however at that point more tension down into your pelvis and bladder.

A few ladies say it seems like there is a watermelon or bowling ball between their legs and that the child may very well fall right out. Yet, don't stress this will not occur (or would be very uncommon as you would need to miss every one of the resulting indications of work and compressions).

So how far off is labour?

Again there is no exact measure or rule to say how far off labour might be. It will be different for every woman, some may drop hours before labour but some may still have weeks before they see any action. 

Signs your baby has dropped:

• You can breathe easier

When the baby drops lower into your pelvis it should release pressure on your diaphragm which might feel like a literal weight off your chest.

• More pressure down below

While you should feel less pressure up high in your abdomen, the pay off will be increased pressure down low. As your baby’s head settles into the pelvis you will feel heavy and possibly uncomfortable between your legs. 

• The waddle kicks in

You’ve surely seen other pregnant women with the waddle, and wondered if/when you might get it? Well if you haven’t already, once the baby drops chances are you’ll be waddling about until the baby comes out.

• Increased discharge

As the cervix prepares for labour it will start thinning itself out, and with this involves ridding itself of the mucous plug. Some women will lose the mucus plug very noticeably, while others may experience it more as increased discharge.

• More frequent trips to the toilet

Just when you thought you couldn’t possibly go to the toilet any more, your baby drops and there you are. When baby drops they tend to put even more pressure on the bladder so you’ll likely need to go more often than ever. Remember it won’t be forever and your baby will be here very soon!

• Pelvic pain

Increased pelvic pain can be a sign your baby has dropped, as there is more pressure on your organs than ever now. As your body prepares to give birth the hormone relaxin helps to soften and relax the muscles in that area so that baby can make it through the birth canal. So some mild pain and discomfort is common, but if you are worried always speak to your doctor.  

• Lower back pain or ache

As with pelvic pain, you might notice more pain or discomfort in your lower back due to the increased pressure down low.

• Noticeably lower belly

An obvious sign can be the appearance of your belly when you look at it side on. Some women will notice an obvious drop and change in the shape and appearance. 

Despite the fact that the sensation of the child dropping can be an odd one, and can carry with it a few new awkward incidental effects, recall this is your body doing how it needs to get ready for work. Anyway, assuming you are worried about the agony or distress or experience any draining or squeezing, consistently call your primary care physician right away. You will embrace your child very soon!