dropping

[taffywelsh]

Hello there

So, I have heard that as delivery approaches, the baby will "drop" into your pelvis. Suddenly, you will be a different shape, have more lung room, etc. This seems to be taken as a sign the the baby is preparing to come out.

Well, I went swimming yesterday, doing short laps and also just paddling around. I sort of held onto the pool, belly down, and kicked hard a bunch of times. I heard at a childbirth class that this can help turn the baby to avoid back labor. After I was done swimming, my belly was quite noticeably lower, the movements have been a different, and my partner swears I look "less pregnant" than before. When I'm sitting, my belly is now resting on my thighs a bit, whereas before it was sort of barreling ahead in a high position...in terms of lung room, I feel like I'm much less out of breath than before, even while exercising.

Could this be due to the baby just turning into the proper position, because it feels to me like she dropped. And, I'm only 33 weeks so that is not great. What do you think? If they drop early, can they stay like that for a month? Can they pop back up again like a cork in water?

Thanks womyn!

[MaerynPearl]

If this is your first, you could totally stay dropped until AFTER your due date!

Its more likely to drop REALLY early with your first. I remember being able to feel DSs head during my self-checks when pregnant with him. Never could with DD1 and still cant with DD2!

[gradstudentmommy]

I dropped around 34 or 35 weeks with DD. I remember it distinctly because I could breathe so much easier. And she was born 41 weeks 1 day.

[forumyonly1]

yup sounds like you dropped! no need to worry! i dropped with my first early like that.. some where between 31-33 weeks! it's noraml! if it is more comfortable for you... enjoy it!

[nova22]

I remember that with my first - he dropped early, I got all excited thinking about possible impending labor...then nothing happened.

With my second, she was high up until my water broke. After my water broke I could feel the baby sliding down into position, it was such a weird feeling! Sometimes I wonder if she ever would have dropped if my water hadn't broken to start labor because she was so high up and dropped so quickly after it happened.