Q to STM, TTM+ re: dropping or “lightning”

peacefuladventures

Since we’re all entering the final stretch (if haven’t given birth already), wanted to ask a question to STM and TTM+ re: their experience with dropping or lightning during their first pregnancy. I keep reading that for FTMs, it typically takes 2-4 weeks after you’ve “dropped” to go into labor. For those who went into labor naturally, and experienced dropping or lightning, what or how did it feel like? How did you know you “dropped”, and how long after you’ve dropped did you go into labor?

strongishmom

Thanks for asking this, I’d also like to know!

kamays54

I didn't go into labor naturally with my first and unless it happens in the next 33 hours I won't with this one either lol.  So I can't help with that part.  But with both I feel like they "dropped" a few times and went back up.  With my 1st, I think because she was so small I didn't really notice much symptom wise but her movements were really low.  I'm also not sure if that was because I didn't feel much since her placenta was in the front so I only really felt the lower movements.  With this one though, I have felt the pressure on my cervix but it was literally for about 10 minutes one day the other week and then about 5 minutes one day last week.  Every step I took I could feel him "hit" it.  But I feel like he's back up again.  I have felt a lot of his movements down pretty low and I do know he's been head down for weeks.  At every ultrasound he's been head down.  Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

strongishmom

@peacefuladventures Update: I think baby has dropped for me! Within the last week, I've been able to eat more at a time, which to me is the biggest indicator that he isn't all the way up by my stomach anymore. At the same time, my pelvic floor is heavier and I've had to slow down a lot. I'm still out of breath often but it's way easier to take full breaths, too. 

peacefuladventures

@knottie7ed3ad84b68c1db2 wow! Interesting 🧐 - do you feel like you have to pee a lot more often? I know it’s average, but I keep reading 2-4 weeks for FTMs for the time you “drop”, but I’ve heard as early as a week from others’ experiences. For STM+ it can be like the same day lol. 

I have a bit more info on my end because I see a MFM every week where they run a BPP (through ultrasound and non-stress test). On Thursday, they couldn’t say I dropped, but she did say that baby’s head is not engaged in the pelvis yet, which means he hasn’t dropped yet. I’m at 37+6 now - so while I don’t think I’ve dropped, I know he’s been descending - just taking some time. 

I still feel like I can only eat small meals throughout the day and while I feel heavier towards the bottom half, I’m not experiencing the other “lightning” symptoms. 

Have you asked your OB? I ask every week lol. At 35 weeks, my OB that week told me I hadn’t dropped yet because I was measuring 35 on fundal height. Same at my 36 week appt. At 37 weeks they stop measuring because now we’re just waiting plus typically, fundal height decreases because baby starts to descend. 

strongishmom

@peacefuladventures (side note this is strongishmom lol this site has just stopped registering my name) oh that’s all good to know! I didn’t ask my OB about it last week but I will the next time. Yes, I have to pee SO often, and every time I swear my bladder is going to explode and it’s barely anything lol. It’s better overnight though, I assume because gravity isn’t putting so much downward pressure on everything. I know baby has been head down for a while (I also saw an MFM up to week 32).

When you say 2-4 weeks, are you talking about time from dropping to labor? I’m a FTM and there’s no reason for me to expect him to come yet so 2-4 weeks more would make sense. I’m not ready for sooner than that! 😂

peacefuladventures

@strongishmom hi! How many weeks are you? I felt that way around week 35-36ish, then it oddly went away. Def ask your OB esp if you’ve had the same PB who has seen you over time + fundal height. I asked the OB I saw yesterday if I can go into labor WITHOUT dropping and are said yes  so there’s also that lol. 

Yes, 2-4 weeks from time if dropping to going into labor for FTMs. Of course, that’s average - everyone is different. Can happen earlier or can go into labor w/o dropping. 

My OB office is having me focus more on the early labor signs (water breaking, mucus plug, bloody show, consistent and stronger contractions, etc) rather than me dropping, but I can’t help myself! Haha 

strongishmom

@peacefuladventures I’m 37 weeks! I haven’t had any of those other signs of labor, though. 

pregnantinthepnw

Lightning pain for me feels like a sharp pain in your private area. It is fast and oh so sudden. Very random too. I’ll get it a couple times a week now.
 

I am 34.5 was pregnant with my second daughter. C section is scheduled mid January due to a complication with umbilical vein. So far baby seems healthy otherwise!! 🥰

Today was first ultrasound where baby was head down. I knew it happened because of all the pressure on my butt… TMI, otherwise I’d elaborate.

I noticed in the last hour I had 10 contractions. They were short and didn’t exactly take my breath away, so I’m just laying on my recliner and hydrating.

home stretch!! 

peacefuladventures

@strongishmom aka Isha - those signs I believe are for Early Labor so good thing you aren’t getting them just yet! 

peacefuladventures

@pregnantinthepnw thank you for sharing! I def haven’t felt lightning then - but that pain sensation - does it mean you’ve officially dropped?

also, I don’t notice or feel the practice contractions and I don’t know what that means. I would see if I’m having one while doing a non-stress test, and the nurse would point it out - but I would say I’m not feeling any. They said it’s normal and just means my uterus is practicing but the contractions aren’t doing anything. 

pregnantinthepnw

Hi! I don’t think it necessarily means you dropped if you have those sharp lightening pains. Sometimes baby is head down poking the cervix area (which you feel, ouch) and then many can move back to a horizontal position. I start feeling lightening pain usually after 25 weeks when baby is running out of room. Consider yourself lucky if you don’t have to experience it. Many of my friends haven’t.

i also don’t always notice the practice contractions. Sometimes they’re are so small the NST will pick them up and I’ll have no clue. Sometimes they happen (a little bit stronger) while im doing housework or on a walk and it makes me feel short of breath. If it keeps happening  I’ll take a break and hydrate a lot.

fk18

@pregnantinthepnw - I am also “pregnant in the PNW”! Hahah where do you live? 

I’m 37w today and feel like baby is just starting to drop! I’m officially waddling and had “lightening crotch” yesterday (ouch)! And you know what, this discomfort is starting to make me feel way more ready for baby lol 

pregnantinthepnw

I live in Kirkland WA! You?

Yes the last 4-6 weeks is torture sometimes! I’m scheduled for my c section on Jan 16. 18 more days of this discomfort, followed by a different kind of discomfort 😂

fk18

Federal Way, WA! I got married in Kirkland ☺️I’ve been hoping for a local bump buddy! 

Have you joined our Facebook group? 

 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15TRnZwBx2/?mibextid=wwXIfr

pregnantinthepnw

No way, that’s so close! 

I actually don’t have Facebook. 

peacefuladventures

@strongishmom (Isha) @fk18 @pregnantinthepnw So I think over the last few days I've "dropped" and experienced lightning at least once - I've always carried a bit low, so it was more of a feeling - - and definitely a big waddle now. Having more mobility issues and harder to walk around with this wide load lol. I'm 39+1 today - still hanging in there but feeling like baby has dropped and continuing to descend (now with more of an achy back), it feels like his arrival is coming! 

I've also just felt in general - a lot more downward pressure. Have an MFM appointment tomorrow where we'll do an ultrasound and non-stress test - hopefully we'll get more clarity and answers there re: positioning and whether or not baby's head is engaged in my pelvis (previous ultrasounds did not indicate so).

peacefuladventures

@pregnantinthepnw I also don't have Facebook and feel left out since I can't join the FB group lol. However, Isha (formerly @strongishmom) is the other person on this thread - we connected via IG if you are on that platform and are open to connecting! My handle is @kayceemc_

fk18

@peacefuladventures, I’m happy to connect on IG also! My handle is @fionak518. Maybe we can get a shared DM thread going between us ☺️. Join us also @pregnantinthepnw if you have IG 

strongishmom

@fk18 I’m going to follow you on IG! My handle has my name in it  

strongishmom

@peacefuladventures that’s a good update! Baby continues to feel heavier by the day for me so I assume we’re getting closer. I hope yours is head down at the next check! 

peacefuladventures

Fun! Look forward to staying connected via IG. @strongishmom last ultrasound (and for the last month since Week 36) baby has indeed been head down and luckily, at least during the ultrasounds, he has stayed in that comfy position, with back on the left side. 

I have progressively been feeling him descend and I believe I have officially "dropped". I ask every week both OB and MFM offices - they can't definitely tell me, they say it's more of a feeling. Right now, I am feeling super heavy and have a major waddle. I can barely be mobile haha. Safe to say - it is time!