Moms of Many: have you noticed a pattern in when your babies drop and when labor begins?

[strawberryprincess]

I'm 38weeks pregnant with #4,  and baby "dropped" a few days ago.  I'm sorta freaking out a little, panicking that this baby will be here really soon!  I don't feel prepared enough, and life for the next 7 days or so is super busy both for me and my helpers, not to mention m/w (homebirth) is out of the country til Monday!  So, I thought I'd ask the group if anyone else has seen a pattern in when baby drops and when baby arrives.  I realize that everyone is different, and that there are lots of babies who never drop before labor begins, and some are dropped for several weeks before birth.

I have never given birth before 40w, so I haven't been anticipating a baby yet. This is what I have experienced in the past:

baby #1, dropped about 5weeks before birth, born at 41.5w

baby #2, dropped about 2-3 weeks before birth, born at almost 41w

baby #3, dropped about 1-1.5weeks before birth, born 40w, 2days

They seem to be arriving sooner and sooner after dropping.  This is why I'm panicking.  Am I also right that there is a full moon on Monday?  Never have given birth on or around a full moon, but...

Anyone with thoughts, theories or ideas about this?  I'm trying to be calm about it, everything will fall into place, I"m sure.  Just worrying at the moment... :)

[cameragirl]

We're coming up on a new moon, so the full moon should be the 12th of September. That should give you some lee-way as far as gravitational pull goes.

[Peony]

I just had my 4th last month and didn't drop until labor. I remember my others dropping during the pg, not when I was trying to have the child! This one did come earlier then my other babies.