When is it typical to 'drop'?

CopperT0p

Hi,

I cannot remember reading this anywhere in a book, so I obviously came to you ladies for your answers.  When did you drop, or does anybody know after what point first timers can drop?

I had several people mention that it looked like I dropped since last week.  So I broke out my hump day bump day pick and ask DH to weigh in on it.  We both agree that my belly is a lot lower now.  It was pretty spherical last week and started up high, and now it is more oblong.  I have my MW appointment on Thursday, but just have no patience right now to wait to ask her.

TIA!

bradley&cassie

Only 25% of babies are still breech at 28 weeks. I dropped right around 28 weeks, so I think between weeks 26 and 30 are pretty common times!

mlc92404

I dont think there is a standard.  With DS I'm pretty sure I didnt "drop" till I was in labor with him.  This time, I feel like baby has dropped a bit but when I was checked last appt they said he was still pretty high.

nicole112709

bradley&cassie:

Only 25% of babies are still breech at 28 weeks. I dropped right around 28 weeks, so I think between weeks 26 and 30 are pretty common times!

HUH?! What ARE you talking about? I think you are confused. She asked when babies drop, not when they move into position.

To OP, it varies from person to person. 1st timers drop sooner most commonly after 35 weeks, however a second timer could be into active labor before LO drops. Its hard to tell and does little to predict labor. Good luck!

CopperT0p

Cool, I definitely have been feeling more pressure in my pelvis, but I was just attributing it to the baby's weight increasing until somebody mentioned dropping.  In my head I was thinking after 30 weeks seemed reasonable, but then a lady at worked scared me by saying it should only happen in the last few weeks. 

Also, this kid has been head down the entire time, and is still that way judging by where I feel the movements.

Thanks again.

Kitiara5512

A baby can turn over so it is head down and still not officially be dropped btw... it can also drop and still be breech.

 From pregnancy today:

Question:

When does a baby normally drop? I am 29 weeks, and it seems that baby has started to drop already. If the baby is starting to drop now, is that an indication that the baby will be early?

Answer:

The baby will usually "drop" around the 36th week. If what you are feeling is an increase in pressure this does not necessarily mean the baby has dropped but may be due to increased blood flow and congestion in the area. An increased sensation of pressure usually occurs with second and subsequent babies. Dropping does not necessarily mean the baby will be early, but it is important to mention this change in pressure to your health care provider. Your provider may want to pursue more information with you.

 

When is my baby likely to drop?

Expert Answers

Ann Linden, certified nurse-midwife

It's impossible to say precisely when your baby will "drop" or descend into your pelvis, because every pregnancy is unique. If this is your first baby, this process, which is also called lightening, is likely to occur several weeks before labor begins, though it may happen later. For subsequent pregnancies, lightening often doesn't occur before labor starts.

You may find that you feel a little different after your baby has dropped. Some pregnancy complaints may get worse, while others may improve. On the one hand, your baby will be taking up more room in your pelvis, so you'll probably find that you have to urinate even more often than before. You may get an uncomfortable feeling of pressure deep in your pelvis, feel increasing discomfort when you walk, and even begin to waddle a bit.

On the other hand, with less pressure on your stomach, you'll be able to eat a little more without feeling uncomfortably full, and if you've been suffering from heartburn, you may get some relief. You'll probably find that breathing feels easier, too.

While lightening isn't a predictor of when labor will start, it is a sign that your body's getting ready. It's normal to feel lightening up to four weeks before your due date. If you feel an increase in pelvic pressure or the sensation that your baby is "pushing down" before then, call your healthcare provider so she can evaluate you for preterm labor.

Kitiara5512

Btw, I looked it up just to check difference between position and dropping, because LO turned head down between the week 20 u/s and the one I had in week 32, but he hasn't started to descend yet (at least not if my heartburn and breathing issues are anything to go by).

bradley&cassie

nicole112709:

bradley&cassie:

Only 25% of babies are still breech at 28 weeks. I dropped right around 28 weeks, so I think between weeks 26 and 30 are pretty common times!

HUH?! What ARE you talking about? I think you are confused. She asked when babies drop, not when they move into position.

To OP, it varies from person to person. 1st timers drop sooner most commonly after 35 weeks, however a second timer could be into active labor before LO drops. Its hard to tell and does little to predict labor. Good luck!

 

The terms are interchangeable, haha. Dropping can mean when the baby is head down, or when the baby's head descends into the pelvis. I was assuming she was asking about the first since she's only 31 weeks!

Calabaza78

I was under the impression that "dropping" actually signified the baby's head beginning to engage in the pelvis a few weeks before labor, or right before labor, depending on the situation.  Before that point, it's probably just a change in the baby's position that you would be feeling and noticing...

CopperT0p

So it seems to come down to the MW determining where the baby is, which is something I will definitely find out on Thursday.  Thanks for the useful information ladies!

J+MS

bradley&cassie:

nicole112709:

bradley&cassie:

Only 25% of babies are still breech at 28 weeks. I dropped right around 28 weeks, so I think between weeks 26 and 30 are pretty common times!

HUH?! What ARE you talking about? I think you are confused. She asked when babies drop, not when they move into position.

To OP, it varies from person to person. 1st timers drop sooner most commonly after 35 weeks, however a second timer could be into active labor before LO drops. Its hard to tell and does little to predict labor. Good luck!

 

The terms are interchangeable, haha. Dropping can mean when the baby is head down, or when the baby's head descends into the pelvis. I was assuming she was asking about the first since she's only 31 weeks!

They aren't interchangeable. Dropping is when the baby engages the pelvis.

bradley&cassie

J+MS:

bradley&cassie:

nicole112709:

bradley&cassie:

Only 25% of babies are still breech at 28 weeks. I dropped right around 28 weeks, so I think between weeks 26 and 30 are pretty common times!

HUH?! What ARE you talking about? I think you are confused. She asked when babies drop, not when they move into position.

To OP, it varies from person to person. 1st timers drop sooner most commonly after 35 weeks, however a second timer could be into active labor before LO drops. Its hard to tell and does little to predict labor. Good luck!

 

The terms are interchangeable, haha. Dropping can mean when the baby is head down, or when the baby's head descends into the pelvis. I was assuming she was asking about the first since she's only 31 weeks!

They aren't interchangeable. Dropping is when the baby engages the pelvis.

Then I guess nursing school and doctors are giving the wrong information 

monkiem

CopperT0p:

Cool, I definitely have been feeling more pressure in my pelvis, but I was just attributing it to the baby's weight increasing until somebody mentioned dropping.  In my head I was thinking after 30 weeks seemed reasonable, but then a lady at worked scared me by saying it should only happen in the last few weeks. 

Also, this kid has been head down the entire time, and is still that way judging by where I feel the movements.

Thanks again.

Umm...the pressure you feel in your pelvic bone is more than likely due to the extra weight of the baby.  It's pretty early for 'lightening' (dropping) to happen.  

And yeah.  It's probably the baby just shifting position that's causing your belly to be shaped differently - it happens all the time to me, and I actually asked my OB.  And your coworker is right; the baby drops generally to prepare for labour, and that's not until the last few weeks.

Ask your doctor.

monkiem

bradley&cassie:

J+MS:

bradley&cassie:

nicole112709:

bradley&cassie:

Only 25% of babies are still breech at 28 weeks. I dropped right around 28 weeks, so I think between weeks 26 and 30 are pretty common times!

HUH?! What ARE you talking about? I think you are confused. She asked when babies drop, not when they move into position.

To OP, it varies from person to person. 1st timers drop sooner most commonly after 35 weeks, however a second timer could be into active labor before LO drops. Its hard to tell and does little to predict labor. Good luck!

The terms are interchangeable, haha. Dropping can mean when the baby is head down, or when the baby's head descends into the pelvis. I was assuming she was asking about the first since she's only 31 weeks!

They aren't interchangeable. Dropping is when the baby engages the pelvis.

Then I guess nursing school and doctors are giving the wrong information 

It could very well be that they aren't giving the wrong information, just the information being given is not being absorbed properly?

To drop is for the baby's head to engage in the pelvis in preparation for labour. 

To FLIP is when the baby changes positions.  FLIPPING can happen several times throughout the pregnancy.  

DROPPING happens once.

purrpleheather

With my first two, I carried so high, up under my ribs, i don't think they ever dropped.  we had to go in and get both.  with this l/o, i'm carrying alot lower and feel alot more pressure on my cervix.  dr said its more common with a 3rd + pregnancy b/c you lose your pelvic support muscles.  does that mean the baby is "dropping" (the official definiton:head descending into pelvis) already even though i'm 29wks, which would still be early for that?