[mum2James&Bean]

I've always wondered this and have never gotten a good scientific answer on the subject. Any ideas? I always thought it would be the opposite since a mom whose had more than one kid has a roomier pelvis (more space for the baby to drop into) and probably looser ligaments supporting the uterus, etc... but that's not actually true!

Any thoughts?

 

[mwherbs]

bigger more dramatic reaction to hormones and pressure muscles are tighter - closer to due date big influx of hormones upper segment tones and the lower segment softens- clunk-

 

[mum2James&Bean]

And if an FTM didn't drop until labour (like my last birth that ended up in a c/s) you would suppose what... already loosened pressure muscles from laziness?

Well... could be accurate

So, in subsequent pregnancies, the upper segment of the uterus doesn't tone and the lower segment doesn't soften? Or am I reading that wrong?

 

[MoonStarFalling]

I don't really understand how it could be either. The 'rule' doesn't apply to anyone I know IRL. Me, first babe never got below -3 but this one dropped at 29w.

 

[stacey2061]

my first baby didn't drop, um, until a few minutes before he was born...lol part of me hopes this is true (i'll never waddle! lol)

 

[mwherbs]

just not as dramatically-- you will see grand multips respond to pregnancy and look 20 weeks at 12 weeks- I think that the body responds or has more resting relaxitin --- or maybe just stretched out muscles...

 

[Lady Lilya]

I have read that it is because it takes more time initially for the body to prepare, since the uterus is tighter, so it automatically knows to get a head start. I hadn't really thought about if that makes sense or not.

 

[pamamidwife]

the first time mom uterus is shaped like an upside down pear - the lower segment/neck is much more pronouced. after the first pregnancy, the uterus is more like an apple, with the lower segment/neck not as pronounced.

so, babies get pushed down and are somewhat "held" by the firmer lower segment of a first-time mom.

 

[~*~MamaJava~*~]

not to hijack...but is the dropping the same as the head engaging?

fwiw, my 1st 'dropped' 3 wks prior to birth, 2nd i really don't know, and 3rd was at -1 for a week prior to birth.

 

[BrookeAD]

I am at 40 weeks, and my baby still hasn't dropped. I can't breathe and have constant indigestion!

From what I can remember, my first dropped a few weeks before delivery.

 

[mum2James&Bean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pamamidwife the first time mom uterus is shaped like an upside down pear - the lower segment/neck is much more pronouced. after the first pregnancy, the uterus is more like an apple, with the lower segment/neck not as pronounced. so, babies get pushed down and are somewhat "held" by the firmer lower segment of a first-time mom.

This makes the most sense to me actually... because the second pregnancy your uterus is already stretched and probably larger, so there's more room for the baby to float upwards right? I guess it wouldn't necessarily be the case for everyone, but I can see why that makes sense. LOL!