Belly dropped?

jdovell

Hi I'm 31 weeks today. I have experienced what is similar to menstrual cramps this afternoon and now my belly is not sticking out as far and is lower. Has my little guy dropped? This is my first pregnancy.

misspuppychow

I dropped at 30 weeks! My OB said it was likely because baby was just making more room to grow up again. Yipee! :-P FTM also.

ThisisNumber3

It also could be if he just switched to head down position and made more room up top. 

SkiChic626

My belly has been low the whole time, but then about 2 weeks ago it had a huge growth spurt and now is way up high.  The menstrual cramps are likely BH.  I didn't know they could feel that way because they didn't with my first, they were just tight and hard to breathe through, but this time I get menstrual-like cramps often and my OB said that's BH.  If the baby truly "dropped" you would feel it in your pelvis - it would feel kinda like a bowling ball was trying to come out your vagina.  My one friend said she couldn't even close her legs once her baby dropped!

mamaqdubu

I thought the same, but my doctor said many times women think their baby dropped just like someone else said, because they have flipped and there is more room at the top. Also, with the baby gaining weight pretty consistently the lowering of your abdomen can also be attributed to plain old gravity. I guess most babies don't officially "drop" from an OB's perspective until a few days to even a few hours before labor begins. Of course, I'm sure there are exceptions! 

kristynmac

My doctor said that mine is "utilizing his space" he has been head down for awhile, but he is really stretched out. When the doctor was looking for the heartbeat, he found it a few inches lower than before and put his hand where the head is now, but said that his feet are in my ribs.

Stephanie7693

I think my little guy dropped in the last few days. I feel pressure and lots of sharp crotch pains. And a few that literally feel like he is kicking or punchanged me in the butt. I also can't sit up straight and keep my legs closed. Being baby 3, I feel like he's dropped a little early at 33 weeks. My mil is now concerned he's going to come early, but I don't think it means he's going to come that soon. I have my 34 week appt tomorrow, and I'm curious to see if I'm dilated yet and if he is really dropped and ready for his big day, just hoping it's not for a few more weeks!

WinnieLou82

caitlinj187 said:

I thought the same, but my doctor said many times women think their baby dropped just like someone else said, because they have flipped and there is more room at the top. Also, with the baby gaining weight pretty consistently the lowering of your abdomen can also be attributed to plain old gravity. I guess most babies don't officially "drop" from an OB's perspective until a few days to even a few hours before labor begins. Of course, I'm sure there are exceptions! 

Agreed. I can feel she is lower (with more space between her and my ribs) but my midwife said she doesn't expect to see a "drop" until much, much closer to labor.