When the Baby Drops Does It Move Less

When Does Baby Drop?

Medically Reviewed by Andrei Rebarber, M.D.

Medical Review Policy

All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. OurMedical Review Board includes OB/GYNs, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, doulas, lactation counselors, endocrinologists, fertility specialists and more.

We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

on April 23, 2020

"How can you tell when your baby has dropped?"

Back to Top

One of the signs that you're getting closer to labor is when your baby drops. Don't take it to the bank, though, since it's not the most reliable of signs. After all, labor can still be weeks away even after baby has dropped… or baby might not drop at all until you're well into labor. Here's what you should know about 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 part (aka the first part of the body out — usually the head) has engaged in mom's pelvic cavity.

When does baby drop?

While it's different for every mom-to-be, babies will usually drop around two to four weeks before delivery in a first pregnancy. In subsequent pregnancies, babies usually don't drop until mom is in labor. There's a theory why that's the case for so many second timers: It could be because your body already knows what to do, so your pelvis needs less prep time.

Does baby always drop before you go into labor?

Your baby won't necessarily drop before labor begins — whether it's your first pregnancy or a subsequent one. If yours doesn't, don't worry. When (or even whether) baby drops has no impact on your labor. Plenty of moms sail through childbirth even if their baby didn't drop before labor began.

What does it feel like when baby drops?

It isn't always noticeable when your baby drops. That's because 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 you've been carrying low throughout your pregnancy, you might not be able to tell the difference after baby drops. If you've been carrying high, however, you would more likely notice that baby has dropped — both because of how you look (a lower belly bump) and how you feel (more room in your lungs, more pressure on your bladder).

Continue Reading Below

8 signs of baby 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 might notice that your baby bump seems lower and titled farther forward than it did before.
2. Better breathing. Once your baby drops, there's less upward pressure from the uterus on your diaphragm and you'll be able to take bigger and deeper breaths — which means you'll be able to breathe easier… literally.
3. Easier eating. Decreased pressure on the stomach 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 on the bladder thanks (or no thanks) to a baby who has dropped lower into the pelvis may send you to the bathroom more frequently.
5. Pelvic pain. With baby lower in the pelvis, you're likely to feel more pressure and pain down below. This could come in the form of sharp shooting pain (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 you may find yourself waddling more than walking. Your sense of balance may also feel off — likely due to the fact that your center of gravity has shifted yet again.
7. Back pain. With all this new pressure lower down, you 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 pain.
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 baby dropping) may worsen hemorrhoids or cause them to appear for the first time.

Tips for helping your baby drop

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

• Walking. Walking can 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 will. Use a birthing ball to help you maintain the squatting position if you're a squatting-while-pregnant novice. Gently rocking on the birthing ball can also help nudge your baby lower into your pelvic cavity.
• Pelvic tilts. The rocking motion that can help get 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 forward while relaxing your lower back. Repeat a few times.

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

Labor In Just 3 Words

Good luck,

• What to Expect When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel.
• WhatToExpect.com, 10 Signs of Labor, February 2020.
• Mayo Clinic, Signs of Labor: Know What to Expect, May 2019.
• Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Pregnancy: Dropping (Lightening), September 2018.
• National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Your Baby in the Birth Canal, September 2018.
• WhatToExpect.com, 36 Weeks Pregnant, October 2019.
• WhatToExpect.com, Pelvic Tilt Exercises During Pregnancy, September 2018.

When the Baby Drops Does It Move Less

Source: https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/ask-heidi/when-baby-drops.aspx

Share this post