Birth
So maybe go ahead and pack that hospital bag.
You’re coming to the end of your pregnancy, and you’ve just about had it with the heartburn and heavy breathing. You’ve been crossing off the days on your calendar, your hospital bag is packed — but how do you know if your body is ready for the main event? One possible sign that you’re getting ready to go into labor is that your baby has dropped, and luckily, there are some signs to look for.
As your third trimester of pregnancy comes to a close, the baby will “drop” lower into the pelvis. Kecia Gaither, director of perinatal services at NYC Health & Hospitals/Lincoln, tells Romper, “‘Baby dropping’ refers specifically to a term called ‘lightening.’ Lightening is an indication that labor will be approaching, in due course, as your baby’s head descends into the pelvis, engaged within the pubic bones.”
Most first-time moms will find that their baby drops somewhere around the last two weeks of their pregnancy, while moms who have delivered previously may not feel it until labor is about to begin since their pelvis was already stretched during that first delivery.
If you’re counting down the days until your little one arrives, you can look for some of these signs that your baby has dropped and that labor may be starting soon. Remember: feeling like your baby has dropped doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be there the next day, but it’s a pretty good indication that you’re nearing the finish line. Enjoy your last few moments alone on the couch — things are about to get real.
4
You Might Start walking Differently
Have you suddenly found yourself waddling, almost like you’re imitating a penguin? That could be a sign your little one has dropped. “Some pregnant people may notice that they may ‘waddle’ more when the baby drops,” Irobunda says. “This is because some of the bones of the pelvis and hips may shift in a way that allows the baby more room, but widens your stance.”
Gaither adds that this can also make extended walking more painful because of the increased pressure.
5
Your Bump Will Look Different
Start comparing those bump selfies — you might notice something has changed over the past few weeks. “Your bump may appear lower or may look more like a teardrop as opposed to a ball protruding,” Irobunda explains. That’s because “your baby is now sitting lower in your pelvis.”
6
You Can Eat More Than Usual
One common myth about pregnant women is that they can’t stop eating, especially towards the end, but that’s definitely not always true. In fact, in the third trimester, many women find it hard to eat a lot at once — all of that pressure from the growing baby makes your stomach smaller, so it can’t handle that much food.
But when the baby drops, you might suddenly find that you can eat more without feeling incredibly uncomfortable. “Your baby dropping may make some feel hungrier as there is now more room for your stomach to expand, increasing the capacity that your stomach can hold,” Irobunda says.
7
You’ll Feel Vaginal Discomfort
If you feel pain in the vaginal area, don’t immediately freak out — this could be a result of the lightening process. “When the baby drops, some people may notice some vaginal discomfort, even the sensations of zings or like an electrical zap in their vagina,” Irobunda says. “This is caused by the uterus resting on some nerves in the pelvis. There is no need to worry, it is a normal part of the end stages of pregnancy.”
Experts:
Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, FACOG, double-board certified in OB-GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine, Director of Perinatal Services at NYC Health & Hospitals/Lincoln
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