When a pregnant woman gets closer to her due date, she may find herself constantly looking for (and obsessing over) any impending signs of labor. These signs, although exciting, aren’t usually reason to grab your bag and head for the hospital. They can, however, indicate progress. Something an expectant mother may be more than anxious to see!
One of the most common questions near-term women ask is, “Has my baby dropped yet?” The baby “dropping,” also known as lightening, should not be confused with the term engagement. Dropping or lightening occurs when the baby’s head descends into the upper part of the pelvis, while engagement occurs when the baby’s head is entirely within the pelvis and is noticeable during a vaginal examination. The baby can “drop” weeks before birth, or even hours, and mother’s shouldn’t fret if their baby hasn’t dropped by a certain point. Here are some of the signs your baby’s head has descended into the pelvis!
Heartburn & Indigestion Disappear Women who were experiencing a great deal of heart burn or indigestion may suddenly feel some relief! Prior to the baby dropping, the pressure from the baby’s high position can contribute to heartburn and indigestion by pressing the stomach, and it’s acids, higher into the chest cavity. Once the baby has dropped, these discomforts often ease up or disappear altogether.
Increased Urination Once the baby drops, more pressure is placed on the bladder, leading to more frequent trips to the bathroom. This sign can be hard to pinpoint, especially if the woman was going to the restroom often before.
Increased Stomach Capacity
Prior to the baby dropping, many women find themselves unable to eat large, or even normal sized portions of food at a time. This restricted stomach capacity is the result of the baby pushing upwards on the stomach. Once the baby has dropped, the woman may find that she is able to eat larger amounts at a time.
Easier to Breathe
Prior to dropping, the baby places a lot of pressure on the lungs, making women feel as though they are short of breath. Once the baby drops, there is less pressure and it should feel easier to catch their breath than it was previously.
Constipation & Hemorrhoids
Once the baby has dropped, the mother may experience increased pressure on her bowels, which can lead to constipation and even hemorrhoids. These two problems can be quite uncomfortable, but are not uncommon once the baby has begun to descend.
Visual Appearance When the baby has dropped, the mother’s belly may be visibly lower, and may even seem to tilt forward. Sometimes, just a good look in the mirror and observation of the shape and position of the belly can indicate whether the baby has begun to descend or not; especially if it’s coupled with other signs!
