"You've dropped"

am0138 · November 2013

I was told the other day that I look like I've dropped. Any help on what this means? Is this a good thing or a bad thing at 30 weeks? My belly does look lower and I am experiencing more pressure and RLP. Thoughts are appreciated!

tootsscott · November 2013

My friends have said it feels like the head is literally between your legs after you drop. I have one baby that sits super low but hubs says my belly still sits high enough. There's a lot of action in what feels like my vagina though!!

mommygrams0730 · November 2013

Generally when I've truly dropped it's like I can finally breathe normal again. More pressure is felt as well.

Tbh I feel like baby hasn't moved up high enough for it to have dropped yet...but it's like "how early did you show" everyone carries so different.

Unknown · November 2013

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ashybear · November 2013

"Dropping" is an early indicator of your body getting ready for labor. In our class, we were told it happens 3-5 weeks before entering active labor.

juliasmama2010 · November 2013

With DD, I dropped around 38 weeks. I no longer had the kicks/jabs up in the ribs, but had a ton of pelvic pressure. And every time I stood up I had to pee. I also waddled. I just dropped on Friday with this one. Noticeable difference in the pressure felt as well as kicks/jabs. I hope there's some truth to that, @ashybear, because I don't know if I can maintain this waddle for 10 more weeks!!!

cpm1223 · November 2013

Unless a medical professional told you that you "dropped" I wouldn't think anything of it. Most people in the world have no idea what real pregnant women look like.

AnnikaD20 · November 2013

The old-timey phrase for this is "lightening" (as in getting lighter, not thunder and lightning) because you can do things like breathe and eat a full meal again once baby moves down into your pelvis. The bad news is that your bladder gets more compressed than ever before.

I have a friend who could never tell when she dropped with her pregnancies until someone who saw her all the time pointed it out. Another friend knew right away when it happened. If it was someone who doesn't see you very often, they probably have no clue what they're talking about.

am0138 · November 2013

Thanks for all of your responses! I'm hoping she wasn't right, because that would mean baby girl could come between 33-35 weeks according to @ashybear. MH told me yesterday that my belly looks to be extending farther out than before and lower. I have an OB appointment on Monday so I'll definitely ask for his opinion then! I still have a cramped feeling in my upper stomach though (affecting breathing and eating a lot) but I notice the lower pressure and heaviness more so.

MrsGraham06 · November 2013

I thought my LO had dropped, and called the OB office. They said that even though I'm 30 weeks, I can still go full term after the baby drops.

When the baby drops, the head is lower in the pelvis. I went to the OB for my regular appointment, and she said that even if he dropped, he isn't staying dropped. But it was easy to push him down really low. For me, my uterus is so stretched out (from so many babies) that the baby is able to swim around comfortably, in any position, and probably will "just keep swimming" until full term.

angiek1 · November 2013

My baby "dropped" or feels like she dropped last week. Every time I get up I feel like I have to pee, I feel a lot of pressure, and I waddle... I'm hoping the 3-5 weeks thing is an old wives tale b/c while I'm not comfortable I def don't want the baby to be here any sooner than 39 weeks.

laurasue0513 · November 2013

I thought I dropped- tons of pressure, movement lower, feel like a ball is between my legs and literally cannot sit with my legs together....went to the OB today and she said that baby is head down but I have not dropped. LO's head is next to my left hip bone. he is turning and getting into position, but no droppage yet. She said you will totally know. She said its so uncomfortable and you just will feel the pain as your pelvic bone widens. Awesome. Cant wait.

kteeswei · November 2013

I wouldn't trust other people's assessment of whether you've dropped- from what I can tell, they are all retarded when it comes to pregnant women. I would trust your OB/midwife and what you feel as other PP have described.