I'm almost due! How do you know when the baby drops??

[jennjitsu]

Well, we are coming up on D-Week ( I say that because due dates are not an exact science!). Her due date is around 3 September.

Doc asked if she has dropped yet. I honestly had no idea. She gave me a few indicators including breathing easier (check), more frequent urination (didn't really ease up at all during pregnancy, but I guess Check) and pressure (umm...nothing new, so check). So the "signs" really didn't tell me anything! I figured it would be something you definately felt. When I think of "Drop" I think of dropping a glass or a bowling ball; you don't mistake it for anything else. I'm beginning to think that she has started to engage, but still would like some other signs or at least know what other mama's felt!

Many thanks!
Jenn

[Craft Forums]

[fairgreenlady]

I never knew. I think with #1 that was a particularly squirmy night. Maybe that is when he turned head down, but otherwise, no clue.

#2 was born 5 weeks early, but was head down.

I can't help ya, sorry! But good luck and GO NATURAL if you can!

[Sewlittletime]

I was clueless w/ both my boys, since they both rode low during the whole of my pregnancies. It'll be interesting if that happens the 3rd time around.

[auclaire]

I found that it got really uncomfortable when my daughter dropped...not a sudden pain, just a gradually worsening pressure...it felt as though she was bracing her feet against my ribs and grinding her head into my pelvic bone. (She probably was). Made it difficult to sit, cause it felt like I was sitting on her head! Luckily it only lasted a couple of days, and we were home free!

[Knits4Fun]

my son was in the breech position so I never dropped, in fact it was harder to breathe!

[sjkmaurice]

I noticed that it was a little harder to sit and get up because it seemed like my belly shifted slightly down with the baby. And I was more comfortable with my legs apart when I was sitting.

[auclaire]

And I was more comfortable with my legs apart when I was sitting.

Ah yes, oh so elegant! Forgot about that part!

[sarabell]

i don't think i ever really officially drop. not everyone does. but maybe i did, though, because auclaire described what i experienced. it just wasn't anything visibly noticeable and nothing my doctor pointed out. i just figured that was the normal last days of pregnancy where you just want that kid out of you. but my first was a week late and induced (and then a c-section) and the second was a scheduled c-section.

best of luck to you. bet you can't wait to meet her!

[Danielle]

I dropped(lighting as the books call it) about 3 weeks before my daughter was born, pressure in my crotch was not painful. I did breathe alot easier and the heartburn was not as bad..i knew when it happened! Crazy strong contraction followed by a deep breath. I had more energy to wobble around the house to clean! It sucked being pregnant in the summer!

[jennjitsu]

I'm pretty sure it's happened, because YES I can only sit with legs wide open! Plus the bathroom is my second home again. Also, round ligament pains all the time. I never had them until now. Thanks for all the replies!

*sigh* 2 more weeks...