Baby beginning to drop ('lighten') early?

Question

For the past few months I've been carrying very high and unable to sleep in bed because lying down, even with a lot of pillows, makes it impossible for me to catch my breath. Now I'm 29 weeks and last night I skipped the recliner and slept flat in bed because my hip hurt -- and I had zero trouble breathing. My husband swears the baby's a little bit (but not significantly) lower, too!

I called the doctor and they weren't concerned -- seems the baby has changed position -- and since I haven't had any bleeding/contractions/uterine cramps/amniotic fluid they said not to worry.

Has anyone's baby started to drop at 29 weeks or thereabouts? They said it's not unheard of and it doesn't necessarily mean that labor is imminent but I'm curious as to your experiences.

Answer 1

I started dropping around that time with my first 2 children, ment absolutly nothing for me, since I still went on to deliver 2 weeks late..but it definatly was a lot more comfortable without the baby so high up...with my 3rd child, I had contractions for 5 months..but the baby didn't drop till a few weeks before my due date.. each pregnancy is different..relax, and enjoy..soon enough it will all be over.

Answer 2

I've had 3 babies and everything you're describing sounds perfectly normal. I dropped at 30 weeks with my first baby, and he was born at 37 weeks, full term and over 6 pounds.

It's also possible your baby is in a different position, but did not necessarily drop. Either way, it's no indication of when labor will start because it's not unheard of for mothers to experiencing lightening many weeks before labor actually begins.

Answer 3

Just because the baby shifted position doesn't mean it dropped. It would be unusual for the baby to drop this early, but it's not impossible, and it wouldn't necessarily mean you are likely to deliver early, just like your doctor said. As the baby grows and becomes heavier, naturally gravity will affect it more and usually your belly will start feeling lower, and you'll feel more pressure and twinges and ligament pain, but like I stated before, that still doesn't mean the baby has formally "dropped" or engaged in the pelvis.

Don't worry. What you're feeling is normal. Good luck!

Answer 4

You can drop and should drop somewhere around this time. You still have plenty of time. In the next few weeks, you will start feeling more Braxton Hicks contractions, that are tightening and squeezing but they are normally pretty random. In the next 2 -6 weeks you will lose your mucus plug more than likely. Don't be alarmed, it's all part of the practice for the big push. Congratulations your baby will be here before the end of the year if you're lucky! Pretty exciting.

Answer 5

My toddler delivered to 35 weeks. even though it does not advise plenty for 1st timers via fact my toddler never got here till an afternoon earlier his due date ha ha so i became all eager for weeks! I felt it extra in my pelvis than my bladder. It injury to stroll and upward push up from sitting. i ought to hardly pass. and that i relatively waddled when I walked! you may ask your scientific expert to enable you to recognize whilst your toddler drops. 2d time around the toddler in many cases won't drop till awesome earlier labour starts.