How To Tell If The Baby Has Dropped – All You Need To Know
Nine months of pregnancy is usually an exciting period for the mother. During this time, the baby develops exponentially from a mass of cells to finally being a complete person. For the better part of this nine month period, the baby is usually in an upright position, but towards the third trimester, the baby instinctively assumes the head down position as they are getting ready to be born.
During the late stages of pregnancy just before your due date, the baby will finally “drop” further down into your pelvis. This is usually known as head engagement or lightening. It is not possible to determine when the baby will drop exactly since some may drop a few weeks before you go into labour while others will drop just before the labour begins.
What does it feel like when the baby drops? Are there signs when this happens? These are just some of the questions that you might want answers for. The good thing is that when the baby drops, you will definitely know since there are signs on your body that will tell you so. When this happens, just know that your baby is on the way.
What Does It Feel Like When The Baby Drops?
When the baby drops, she changes from the usual position that she has been in almost 9 months to a birthing position. Imagine the relief that you will feel as a mother when this happens. Below are some of the signs that will tell you that the baby has dropped.
Frequent urination
Throughout the period of your pregnancy, you will find that you will always feel the urge to urinate more often. When the baby drops, I think you might need to start living in the bathroom.
When the baby drops, she descends to your pelvis. This will result in increased pressure on your bladder as a consequence of this change in position. As a result, you will always feel the urge to visit the bathroom and pee very frequently, in fact, the urge to urinate will be more frequent than ever before. When this happens to you, just know that the baby has dropped, and it’s only a matter of time, maybe a few weeks or days before you go into labour.
Reduced breathing difficulties
As the baby gets bigger and bigger inside your womb, the difficulty with which you breathe increases. This is because there will be pressure on your lungs due to the large space that has been created for your baby to occupy.
When the baby drops and moves further down towards your pelvis, these breathing difficulties will instantly disappear. This is because there will be no pressure on your lungs anymore. Your troubles with shortness of breath will be no more. Other problems like heartburns will also be alleviated since the baby will be further away from the organs that were affected.
Intense pelvic pressure
When your baby drops, all the weight and pressure that was felt on your lungs and stomach will now be felt on your pelvis. The feeling of your baby falling out of you will be frequent, but the fact is, it can never happen so you should never get worried.
(Via popsugar.com)
You will also find it difficult to stand upright for a long time. The best thing to do during such periods is always to ensure that you have enough rest. Some of the things you might have to deal with are increased pelvic pain as a result of the pressure from the baby’s weight.
Reduced eating difficulties
During pregnancy before the baby drops, a lot of pressure will be felt on organs such as the lungs and the stomach. As a result of the pressure on your belly, sometimes eating will be a little bit tricky. Other problems like heartburns will also be frequent.
When the baby drops, the pressure on your stomach will reduce significantly. You will thus find yourself eating a complete meal with a lot of ease. The heartburns that used to trouble you after eating will also reduce significantly. This is always a moment of relief for mothers since it signifies that your pregnancy will soon be over.
Change in the appearance of your baby bump
Before the baby drops, the distance between your breasts and your uterus reduces with each day that your baby grows inside you. Your belly bump will thus appear higher. When your baby drops, your bump will appear slightly lower than before. If you are keen, you might be able to notice though most of the time its people around you who will easily notice the change in the position of your bump.
Other feelings that might accompany the change in the appearance of your bump include the feeling that the baby is on your lap when you sit down.
Frequent constipation
Due to the increase of the pressure on your pelvis when the baby moves down, your rectum will also feel the pressure. Consequently, you will experience some constipation. To prevent this, ensure that you eat foods rich in fibre. Drinking a lot of water will also be a plus.
Whenever you start experiencing some constipation together with the feelings mentioned above, this will be an indication that your baby has dropped. You should thus prepare to go into labour anytime around your due date.
What To Do After The Baby Has Dropped?
After you have experienced the feelings that come with the baby dropping, it is important that you go for check up to ensure that the baby is in the best position that will not lead to complications during birth. The best check up to go for to determine the baby’s final position before birth is the intrapartum trans labial ultrasound. This test will not only let your doctor know the position of your baby but will also help determine the angle in which the baby will descend.
This check-up is necessary because in any case there will be complications that might lead to breech birth or any other complications, your doctor will be able to know in advance so that such complications are prevented, and you get to deliver through vaginal delivery.
You can also start preparing your body and mind for that one last remaining process that is delivery. You can do exercises like the Kegel exercise to prepare your vagina for delivery. Most mothers usually write birth plans which are just a list of things you would like to do on that day that you finally give birth. You should also make sure your hospital bag is packed and ready.
Conclude
In a word, when the baby finally drops, you will definitely notice even if it will be your first pregnancy. The relief while breathing, eating and frequent urination should be enough to give you heads up about your impending motherhood.
During this period, your days of being pregnant will have been numbered. You will be remaining with at most a few weeks on your gestational clock. You should, therefore, enjoy your last pre-mom days since in a short while you will be starting a new chapter of your life, it is called motherhood.
