How do I know if my baby has "dropped?"?

Question

I am due in 24 days or so... I know the baby is supposed to "drop" and I am wondering how I will know. Right now his head is on one side of my belly and his feet on the other (very uncomfortable!). Is it less painful once he has dropped? My ribs have been killing me for weeks now.

Answer 1

if it is your first time it is more than likely you won't be able to tell. But I know that feeling you are having right now coz the wait and the weight is a little frustrating. My sincere advise, take it easy and try to distract your self, pack those bags, spruce up the house, rest in the lazy afternoons coz that time doesn't come again. with the new baby you will be busy busy busy. it is hard, but you are very close to home plate. hang in there and best wishes for the baby

Answer 2

U will kno becuz ur belly will be wayyy lower and there will be A LOT more pressure down there and u will start peeing A LOT more. When i was preggo I felt like i was going 2 the bathroom at least 7 times a night, maybe it wasn't that much but it sure felt like it. and its very uncomfortable but 4 the most part u will be able to tell, but if not ask ur ob-gyn next time u have an appt. If u are 24 days away u prolly have dropped, but maybe have a lil more to go!

Answer 3

'Dropping', also called 'lightening', occurs when the fetus descends into the pelvic cavity. Lightening is a sign that the presenting part, usually the head, is engaged in the upper portion of the bony pelvis. In first pregnancies, this lightening generally takes place two to four weeks before delivery. It women who have had children previously, it rarely occurs until they go into labour. But as ith most every aspect of pregnancy, exceptions to the rule are the rule. A first-time mother can drop four weeks before her due date and deliver two weeks 'late', or she can go into labour without having dropped at all.
Often, lightening is quite apparent. You might note that your belly seems to be lower and tilted farther forward. The happy consequences, as the upward pressure of the uterus on the diaphragm is relieved, taking a deep breath becomes easier, and with the stomach less crowded, eating a full meal becomes more comfortable. Of course, these welcome changes are offset by the discomforts caused by pressure on the bladder, the pelvic joints, and the perineal area; increased frequency of urination, difficult mobility, a sensation of increased perineal pressure, and sometimes pain. Sharp little shocks or twinges may be felt when the fetal head presses on the pelvis floor. Some women sense a rolling in the pelvis when the baby's head turns. And often, because her centre of gravity has shifted again, a pregnant woman feels more off-balance once lightening has occured.

It is possible, however, for lightening to occur without you realising it. If, for instance, you were carrying low to begin with, your pregnant silhouette might not alter noticeably. Or if you never experienced difficulty breathing or getting a full meal down or if you always urinate frequently, you might not notice any obvious difference. '

Answer 4

I never knew when my baby dropped, and my Dr. never told me whether he did or not. If your baby is still laying sideways, I would start talking to your Dr. about what you can do to make your baby flip in the down position because you don't want to push like that. You might have to have a C-section if he doesn't turn. But don't get scared. I had to have one and it's a lot easier than all the pushing I had to do. Just relax because being stressed out makes it harder on the baby. Calm down, do your breathing exercises and he'll do what he's supposed to do. Amazingly he knows better than we do!! Good Luck!

Answer 5

Remember, at the beginning of your pregnancy when you had to pee alot? Well, when baby finally drops you'll feel a continuous need to pee. And the pressure on the rib cagee may or may not let up....Once he is in the birth canal he can still kick......Hope he doesn't have long legs like my first one did......Good luck with the new baby......I know you'll be a great mom.....Take care!!!!!

Answer 6

the pain in your ribs will go away. youll be able to feel the baby drop. its weird. usually the baby will all of a sudden start kicking you alot and it gets painful but when it happens it takes alot of pressure off your ribs. youll notice the difference right away. the babys head will be at the bottom. but im sure you probably knnew that already.

Answer 7

one way to help the baby move in fetal possision is to get on your hands and knees or just lean on the bed and sway back and forth. If its not your first my doctor told me that sometimes the baby doesnt drop until you go into labor
best of luck with the new baby, theyre gods most precious miracles

Answer 8

well usally u can tell by the way ur belly looks.if u were carring high when it drops u will know and if not then u will feel some pressure down in the lower part and maybe more pressure on ur bladder

Answer 9

The baby's head will cradle in the pelvis and the belly will protrude outward (forward) much more pronounced.

If the baby is sideways, it has not dropped.

Answer 10

That happen to me too. It's very uncomfortable. Yes, when he drops, you will feel better. Maybe your ribs will be sore until baby birth (that's my case!! :-S). But, It's so great when they come out, that you completely forget all the pains you went trough pregnancy.

Best of luck!