"Dropping"?

noelani42 · September 2013

Ok so I'm at 39 weeks and, according to my doctor and everyone who feels the need to say anything, I haven't "dropped" yet...will the baby always drop prior to me going into labor? I honestly don't even know if I'll be able to tell when she does drop- but can I assume as long as she hasn't dropped that she's not coming anytime soon- or are there people out there whose labor has begun before their baby has "dropped" ??

llybeck · September 2013

Not everyone "drops", some women never experience that and they still give birth! Not dropping doesn't mean your LO isn't going to get lower and be engaged before labor, it also doesn't have a lot bearing on when you will go into labor. For some people it gives them relief because it is easier to breath and eat a full meal but it's okay if you don't.

beatingIF · September 2013

Like the PP, I have also heard that you can go into labor prior to dropping.

I have a long torso, have only had feet up in my ribs 3x, huge boobs only sit on my belly if I'm sitting... so I have do idea if I'll be able to tell. I'm constantly hearing "oh you dropped" or "you looked lower yesterday" it's super annoying. At my appt last week I asked my doc when he did the internal & she was at a +3.

noelani42 · September 2013

Thank you for your replies-totally cleared things up for me! I also have a long torso, and my boobs have never really sat on my belly! I just wake up every morning and look in the mirror to see if she looks any lower and then get super bummed when she' s not! Good to know it's not a requirement

Shanmarie1083 · September 2013

I'm 5'2 with a short torso... I don't think baby has anywhere to drop. I never did with DS either.

erink7211 · September 2013

I also have a short torso and have been dealing with severe rib pain since 30 weeks because of him being so high. I asked my doc if I can expect any relief before LO gets here and she told me not to count on it. This baby isn't dropping until he's on his way out.

PrettyInPearls23 · September 2013

I only dropped with DS on the day I went into labor and it was VERY obvious.

Coffejes · September 2013

I'm also 5"2 and when looking at me my bump appears to be high, boobs resting on it all the time. Yet, at my cervical check doc said baby is very low and she could feel the head. Go figure.

Kristonita12 · September 2013

Ditto the boobs not resting on the belly. I have no clue if everyone drops before labor, though. Honestly, I think a lot of women don't know when/if they've dropped, so I'd assume no.

csspencer · September 2013

I get really confused by the whole "dropping" thing. My mom said she thinks I've dropped, my coworkers say I haven't. I have a super long torso, I've never had issues with him being in my ribs, and breathing isnt an issue. Last week my OB checked me and said he was sitting super low. I'm not worried about it, its just confusing and annoying.

Takeabreath · September 2013

I can tell that I've dropped, even if it's just a little bit, because my boobs aren't resting on my belly, I can breathe/eat much easier and there's a ton of pressure on my cervix/pelvis.

imakeeff0rts · September 2013

When my mom was pregnant with me, I didn't drop and her water broke on its own.

SeptMommyX2 · September 2013

I'm also 5'2 with a short torso. I very obviously dropped about 3 weeks ago (at 35wks). None of my materny shirts cover my belly completely; I can't sit fully upright unless my legs are spead wide to let my belly fit in between (makes going to the bathroom SOOO comfortable); and my pants are getting very uncomfortable. I also dropped with DS and with both pregnancies I am fully closed and slightly softened. Dropping doesn't indicate labor. Baby will get down and out when s/he is ready.

SweetPeaK26 · September 2013

I don't think I've ever dropped, but IF I have, it was with dd2, 2 days before she was born (you can see some change in pics).

With #1 an this one, I feel like I am just carrying her in my vagina, but my exam the other night revealed 'she's still Way up there'.

sprocketsmom · September 2013

DS1 didn't drop until I was in labor. This LO has been low the whole time and has dropped pretty noticeably in the last couple weeks. Still very much pregnant, so it doesn't mean much except my belly hangs out of all my shirts and I waddle.