Week 34 - I dropped my baby!
August 10, 2006
It’s not as bad as you think. Sometime around the end of a pregnancy, the baby apparently “drops” lower into your pelvic region, so it’s closer to the birth canal for the big day. The literature I had read on this referred to it as a “lightening”, so I was assuming that maybe my stomach wouldn’t feel like it weighs 300 pounds when that happened. Apparently I was wrong. My doctor asked me if the baby had dropped, and I told him I didn’t think so, but I didn’t really know what that felt like. He asked me if I was feeling more pressure lower, and I said “oh yeah I am”. So, apparently “dropping” for me doesn’t mean a relief from any of my current discomfort, it just means I’ve got more pressure in my lower abdomen versus up near my lungs. Thinking back, I haven’t been irritated about not being able to take a deep breath in a little while, so I guess there is less pressure up top, but nothing significant enough for me to notice. On the other hand, the baby dropping shows an end in sight - even the baby is indicating that he or she will be ready to come out soon, so that’s a plus - I won’t be pregnant forever, even if I feel like I will some days.
babies, baby, baby drop, lightening, pregnancy
Hey there, I just happend to stumble across your web site and realized that we are at about the same stage in pregnancy. Today (8/15) I am 33 w 5 days.. so your about a week ahead of me. I havent felt my baby drop yet (atleast I dont think so!) Well good luck with the pregnancy and hope to talk to ya soon!
~Robin in Pa~
Hi Robin - congratulations! Are you on your first pregnancy as well? You must be feeling about as round as I do these days, and assuming it’s warm in Pennsylvania too, so I’m guessing you’ve developed some methods to cope with the heat? From what I’ve read, babies usually drop somewhere between the 34th and the 36th weeks. I’m wondering if that means my kid will have more of a cone-head when her or she comes out because they’ve been sitting in my pelvis for the extra 2 weeks… At any rate, I hadn’t realized the baby had dropped until my doctor described how it probably felt - more pressure/discomfort lower in my abdomen. I have more discomfort walking these days, and I think it would be similar to trying to walk with a small ball squeezed between my legs - I’ve noticed that I’ve been waddling much more lately, which I attribute to the baby dropping. Please, keep us posted on how your progress is going - I hope everything works out well for you!
Hi!!
Im 33 weeks 2 days pregnant and feeling a decrease in movement?
Anyone else noticed this?
I have a fetal doppler and checking heartbeat regular so everything sounds fine?
Do you think im worrying about nothing?
Hi Sam - congrats on the pregnancy! They say that after 28 weeks you generally feel fewer strong kicks, etc., because the baby has less room to move around. Most of the literature I’ve read suggests that if you think there is less movement, you should try sitting or lying (preferably on your left side) somewhere quiet and counting the number ove movements you feel. Various places will tell you that you should have x number of kicks in 1 hour, or x number of kicks in 2 hours, etc. I’ve found it easier to time how long it takes to feel 10 distinct movements. There have been mornings when I thought there was less movement. But, when I stayed still and concentrated on the movement, I found that counting 10 kicks or moves didn’t take nearly as long as I thought it would. If after you’ve done that you are certain there is less movement, definitely call your doctor right away. I think it’s much better to be overly cautious and call rather than worry for longer when there may or may not be something more serious going on. Good luck - and please let us know how everything turns out!!
i am 33 weeks and 3 days pregnant with my second child and the same thing was happening to me. All the sudden the baby wasnt moving as much as he use to. I went to the doctor and everything was fine, they said it was just because the baby was getting to big to move around like before.
Hi Alisha - congrats on your 2nd pregnancy! I’m glad everything turned out ok when you felt less movement - it is certainly scary when you think something might be wrong! It must have been a relief to know that it was as simple as a crowded living environment instead of something more serious! Good luck to you!
Hello! I am 33 weeks and 1 day and my baby seems to be moving like crazy in there. This is my thrid child and I am hoping that I have him early. I had my other two kids at 37 weeks. Will I hope that everyone is doing good and good luck!
Hi Andrea - congrats on your pregnancy! I’ll hope that your pregnancy is healthy, and that you deliver similar to your other two - early! Good luck to you as well!
Hi,
I am 38 weeks pregnant and my baby hasn’t dropped yet..Is it something to worry and when does this lightening usually happen in first pregnancy ?
Hello ladies, I am 35 weeks and 3 days and don’t know if i’ve dropped or not. Sometimes i feel pressure and sometimes i don’t so i can’t tell. i’m also waddling now and can’t really walk that fast anymore. also i feel a little crampy like menstrual cramps. i’ve read that that is part of prelabor symptoms. So i assume that the baby has dropped and i’m getting ready for delivery soon… god i hope so . I am ready to meet my little man.
Hi Suma, I don’t think you need to worry - I didn’t actually feel much “lightening”, though others noticed my belly sitting lower. Of course, anytime you’re worried you should call your doctor’s office. Good luck!
Hi Lisa - congrats on your pregnancy and what I’m assuming is your little man by now! Those last few weeks seem to drag by, don’t they? Good luck to you and the newest addition to your family!
hi my names sarah,
iam from the south of australia.
Right now iam 37 weeks pregnant with my second.
i having been feeling alot less move ments i though this was ok but my doctors has had me on the ctg ( heart monitor they use in labour) for an hour for the last 2days and he wants it done again tomorow. As the heart rate doesnt seem to go up with its movements.
Should i be worried, hes not telling me much about why hes doing it.
The heat is scorching here 30 degrees to 42 degrees every day and iam not coping well at all i hope baby comes soon.
Hi Sarah - congrats on your pregnancy! I’m surprised that your doctor isn’t telling you much. Could you ask him some more questions about what’s going on? I can’t imagine that the heat is helping much. Babies at 37 weeks usually do pretty well when they are born, so perhaps your little one has decided he or she is ready to come out. Hopefully you can take comfort in hearing your baby’s heartbeat and watching things on the monitor. Think positive thoughts whenever possible, since stress isn’t good for babies either. Good luck to you, and if you get a chance, please let us know how everything turns out!
hallo, my name is faridah, all the way from Uganda. Am 32 and a few days pregnant with my first born. I always feel it playing and evertytime it kicks, brings alot of joy in my life. according to the scan, i will be due on the 8 of march but i just cant wait for that day, when i will hold little Aaliyah or Aleem in my hands. please give me hope, that i wont get that far. thanks.
Hi Faridah - congratulations on your pregnancy! It sounds like you don’t have too much longer to wait before Aaliya or Aleem. I bet you can’t wait to meet him or her! I will be sending happy baby thoughts your way, and wishes for a relatively painless delivery, and of course a healthy little baby. Good luck to you!
I will be 40 weeks pregnant on Thursday and this is my first child. THe baby hasn’t dropped yet..should I be worried and has anyone experienced this before with their first child…
Hi Megan - I wouldn’t worry too much. I’m sure your doctor would have talked to you before now if it was a concern (and I’m assuming you’re going in every week by now to visit the doctor like I was). Also, the baby may have dropped some, but since we first time parent’s don’t really know what to expect, you might not have realized it. Finally, even when a baby does “drop”, it still has a ways to travel down the birth canal, so your baby still has plenty of time to get to the start of the canal before you actually give birth. Enjoy those last few kicks because I’m sure any day now you’ll have a cuddly little baby in your arms and not kicking your belly. Take care, and please lets us know how everything turns out!
Megan — Frequently first babies do not drop until after labor begins. My first baby was a week overdue(also not uncommon)and had not dropped as of my last doctor’s appointment a few days before he was born. Nothing to worry about, just try and get as much sleep as you can before your baby is born, a good night’s sleep rare commody once the little one comes home.
It’s me sorry it took so long to respond back..I had my baby March 12 and he didn’t drop till I went into labor…
I’m currently 33weeks, 1day pregnant with my first child. In recent weeks there has been frequent movement, and I’ve noticed today there is next to no moment, which is unusual, and a little concerning. Is this normal? thanks
hi i am 34 week pregnant and today i m told that i ll ve sonogram in every week .i m worried about that its my first pregnancy .did any body else also got sonogram every week. if yes what reason it could be
hi! I am 31 weeks pregnant, and am having a decrease in baby movment. But she was never really much of a mover. Has anyone had a baby that didn’t move to much? Was everything ok?? I hear girls are a little lazier than boys, so I am hoping that is true. Just a little worried.
Hi Tabitha,
It might be too late to respond, but my first son was like that- it seemed he hardly moved at all! I was always worried! He is now almost 2 (July 7th) and very healthy. I’m 33 weeks (and 4 days) with my second. I was checking out this site because I think I’ve dropped and am concerned that it’s a little too early- any thoughts by readers??
this is my 4th pregnancy, so I figured I was at least semi-pro at this, as for fetal movements, my daughter barely ever moved, the dr. would get worried because I would do the kick test (10 kicks in 2 hours) and I would not feel here at all. She is totally fine. One laid back little girl, just rolls with the punches and if you tell her to sit still she asks how long. As for dropping? I don’t know! I am 30 weeks and dropped 4 days ago. I am pretty sure its not a good sign because with all my other ones with in 2 weeks of doppping I delivered. Any suggestions?
i am 38 wks 5 days today i just feel very werid .my baby is moving less today ,i dont know why am very worrired.
Hi Ornella - congrats on your baby! Anytime now you’ll hopefully be holding that little one in your arms
If you’re worried about movement, first sit or lay down somewhere quiet and time how long it takes for the baby to kick 10 times, 20 times, 20 times, etc. I found a lot of times when I sat somewhere and focused on baby movement, there was much more going on than I had noticed. If you’re still worried, call your doctor - I’m sure they’ll be able to help you figure out what’s going on. Good luck, and please keep us posted!
Hey! I’m about 33 weeks pregnant with my second baby. I went into the hospital about 2 weeks ago with false labour, my contractions were very painful and my lower back hurt as well I felt a lot of pelvic pressure. The nurse at the hospital did a vaginal exam and told me my cervix was a little dilated. The next day I noticed that my underwear were tinged with red, brown and lots of mucous (the nurse said it was normal if I had a little bleeding the next day from the vaginal exam but I don’t think what I had was normal) and it lasted until about 10 p.m. so I’m not sure if that might’ve been my mucous plug. For the past couple days, everyone has been telling me that my baby looks like it has dropped. I can kind of notice but not really, my lower back and hips hurt a little more when I stand or walk for too long, I feel a little more pressure in my pelvic area at times, it always feels like my baby is bunching up. I’m not quite sure what to do.
Hi Ladies,
I am 33 Weeks and 1 day and just this week I have noticed my baby drop. I feel like it is easier to breathe. I have had lots of pressure and pain in the pelvis along with some vaginal pain. The only thing I can find about this pain is dilation. Could it be possible to be dialated so early? Anyone else feel this pain?
I started my 35th week this past Tuesday and only yesterday did I see a dramatic change in the shape of my belly…very low and titled forward. I definately think that he has dropped, and looking over different websites and blogs learned that I probably still have a few weeks to go considering this is my first. The pain and pressure may not be fun but its got nothing on the suspense of when D Day will arrive. If we have to go through all of this, why can’t we be blessed with the knowledge of when it will happen? Who do I have to talk to about this? lol
i am 33 weeks pregnant with my second child and the doctor gave me a fetal fiber nectin test and it came back positive so they gave me to shots to help the babys lungs develope my baby is already dropped should i be worried and what does this test mean????
Hello! I am 29 weeks pregnant with my first child. I am almost positive he has dropped. Should I be worried?
Hi, I am 38 wks and 5days pg. For the past 2 weeks I have been EXTREMELY uncomfortable in my thighs of all places. I saw my regular Dr. this week and found out that I have an extreme case of edema in my thighs (water retention). There is nothing that I can take to relieve the pain while pregnant. I also found out at 36 weeks that my baby is weighing more than 8lbs. He has to be around 9lbs now. I have been experiencing braxton hicks contractions but Im not dilating. I have tried all home remedies - castor oil, sex, raspberry tea, nipple stimulation but still nothing. I am completely miserable and I dont think I can wait much longer to get this kid out. I have felt him moving down behind my pelvic bone the past 24 - 36 hours. I hope someone can PLEASE say something to help me to get through this most difficult time in my pregnancy. I just want to cry!
ok so i am 33 weeks pregnant with my second child, but right now i have so much pressre when i’m walking, i feel swollen down there all the time, and i have pressre in my buttox as well. i konw im having a big baby again, but this time it really does hurt, i cant lift my legs up to walk up stairs and when im sitting down and then get up it hurts like heck,
so i was just wondering if anyone had any ideas for me as to what i shold do?
thank you
kelly
Hi Kelly,
I’m 34 weeks right now and have the same pains you describe since earlier this week. I’m assuming this is caused by the baby having dropped, though he’s still very active and I’ve also heard that usually activity slows down once the baby has dropped. (This is my first.)
Sorry no advice. Just empathy.
Tara
Hi Kelly, I am wondering how things turned out for you. I have been searching the web for advice. I am preganant with my second baby and I am 35 weeks but have been measuring two weeks ahead last week the baby dropped and I have been having contractions. I am only 1cm dilated but the doctor said he felt her head. I am wondering what this means for me because I am not due for a month but does this mean I am in labor? Any advice anyone?
hi iam 35weeks and 4days is it to soon to make myself to go into labor? how will i know if my baby has drop the only time i fill pressure is when i get up in the morning i cant hardly walk does that mean i have dropped?
Hi Jessica - congrats on your pregnancy! Technically your baby isn’t considered “full term” until 36 weeks or longer. Also, a baby carried to completely full term is 40 weeks. Trying to trigger labor before then can be risky, as you are never certain of how developed your baby’s lungs are… It certainly sounds like you baby is dropping, though I was pretty convinced that my baby had dropped, and when they finally took him out by c-section, he was still too far up… Good luck to you, and I hope everything turns out well!
hey i am only 27 weeks and i am having really really bad pains in my legs i am having a little boy but what i was wondering to ease my mind how early can you have a baby before the baby can have a good chance of surviving in good conditions?
Thanks for anyone that has advice!!!!
Hi Sandy, congrats on the pregnancy! I’ve heard of babies as early as 26 weeks surviving, but usually not without some pretty big challenges ahead of them. That being said, babies sometimes have a special knack for pinching nerves, especially the ones that connect to your back and legs… Maybe it’s a pinched nerve that is giving you so much trouble? If I were you, I’d call my doctor and ask about it - if they can’t ease your mind over the phone, perhaps you can go in for a check-up. Please keep us posted!