What does it feel like when babe engages/drops?

[steph117]

I've been getting some really sharp pains in my cervix this afternoon/evening. I was thinking it was the babe's hands ("hey! what's THAT? I'm gonna punch it!"), but now I'm wondering if it could be a change in position, like the baby's head jamming down? You who've experienced it, what's it feel like? (Though I'm sure it's different for everyone...) It does feel like babe has shifted more anterior, though. I am looking very torpedo-ish tonight!

(I'm also really really FLUSHED - all rosy-cheeked. I wonder what that's about?)

[camille76]

i dont know that it is a noticeable feeling (dropping). i guess it could be, depending on the positioning. For me, my bones were really loose in my pelvic area so when the baby turned to be head down, it felt better because she was actually holding my bones together. I guess the farther down the baby goes, the more pressure there might be. I'm not sure I ever dropped TONS before delivery, so I don't remember anything significant in that dept.

but i will say that one day, baby was turned backwards or something and i was in a lot of pain. Some pelvic tilts took care of that.

As far as the sharp pains in your cervix go... yeah, i'd say that that's to be expected. Just hope the baby doesn't start clawing at it! I remember that being a really gross pap-smear-type feeling!!! I haven't felt that this go-round, so hopefully that won't cross her mind!

[flapjack]

Yep: for me dropping felt like the most wonderful sensation in the world. As if a bowling ball had settled into an egg cup, rather than rolling around the fragile bone-china top, cracking my delicate pelvic ligaments...
At a guess, the cervical sensations are effacement

[steph117]

Originally Posted by camille76

As far as the sharp pains in your cervix go... yeah, i'd say that that's to be expected. Just hope the baby doesn't start clawing at it! I remember that being a really gross pap-smear-type feeling!!!

"clawing at it!" ha ha ha!!! (ouch)

I like flapjack's idea of effacement better (but yaaaaaah! Whatever it was, it hurt!)

[smokeylo]

i am also very flushed!! my baby has engaged and i'm now getting headbutts on myh cervix that are sharp pains. only other diff is i can breathe a little easier (i'm short so it isn't a big relief!).

[camille76]

Originally Posted by steph117

"clawing at it!" ha ha ha!!! (ouch)

I like flapjack's idea of effacement better (but yaaaaaah! Whatever it was, it hurt!)

No, really... I was really talking about clawing (or scratching). I know the sharp pains they mention & that's not what I'm talking about. My son did this crazy scratching thing on my cervix, and it really felt like I was having a pap-smear that lasted for several, several scratches.

[steph117]

Originally Posted by camille76

No, really... I was really talking about clawing (or scratching). I know the sharp pains they mention & that's not what I'm talking about. My son did this crazy scratching thing on my cervix, and it really felt like I was having a pap-smear that lasted for several, several scratches.

ACK!!!!! ok, Baby, hear that? let's not do that, ok?

[True Blue]

DS used to do that to me, I could have sworn he was in there scratching at my cervix. LOL But seriously they don't have fingernails to do that with, so I don't know what it was for sure.

I've had those random sharp pains you're talking about Steph. I think it's the baby trying to move down, or into some new lower positions. My baby did actually go into my pelvis and that's when I was feeling it...but then s/he popped back up LOL.

[OldFashionedGirl]

Okay, I have kinda an off topic question: My doc told me last week that the baby hadn't really dropped yet. But when he checked my cervix, he said he could touch the baby's head. So how much further does the kid need to drop!? (Out of me, onto the floor? )

[Dea]

Originally Posted by True Blue

But seriously they don't have fingernails to do that with, so I don't know what it was for sure.

Babies are born with fingernails... sometimes long ones depending on the baby, so couldn't it be possible?

[True Blue]

Well for me it started looong before the baby had fingernails. And when he was born his nails were still attached to his skin so for me, no it couldn't have been.

[slgt]

I didn't notice a change in sensation when Baby dropped (weeks ago), but am now noticing more pressure down in the pelvic area. When I shift position, or have to go to the bathroom, or after I go to the bathroom - definitely noticing some stronger, sharper sensations. I'm guessing that's Baby settling in and complaining about how little space s/he has!

The flushed - I have gone through periods of days over the last 3 weeks where I'm much more susceptible to temperature changes, get hot more easily, etc. I'm blaming it on....being pregnant. Go figure.

[PlayaMama]

Originally Posted by slgt

The flushed - I have gone through periods of days over the last 3 weeks where I'm much more susceptible to temperature changes, get hot more easily, etc. I'm blaming it on....being pregnant. Go figure.

i just had this the other night and it didn't even occur to me to blame it on pregnancy. silly me! i should be blaming *everything* on being pregnant since it's so convenient!

i think mine has dropped too. it just feels much lower and i have more pressure lower down. i never noticed with my first but this just feels differently.

i love the egg cup analogy.

[Dea]

Originally Posted by True Blue

Well for me it started looong before the baby had fingernails. And when he was born his nails were still attached to his skin so for me, no it couldn't have been.

I learned something today!

[zulupetalz]

I know what you are talking about. When this baby is really active I get these awful stabby pains in my cervix, like she is trying to make her way out.

[CalebsMama05]

I think it depends a lot on how you carried before. I carried my boys really low so the only indication I had that THEY dropped is that my clothes wouldn't fit right (my shirts rode up and my pants fell down) with Katie...it was very different. I carried her really HIGH so when she dropped I had TONS of pelvic pressure and had to pee more and I even get shooting pains down my legs and in my hips!