How do you know when the baby drops?

**tinyocean** · 11-03-2007 17:33

Hi, just kinda curious about the 'lightning' effect, when the baby engages in pelvis or drops.
What does this feel like and how do you know? I have heard that you have more pressure on your bladder but I have always needed to pee alot during this pregnancy.
People have told me that the baby has definitely dropped but I can't tell....and I ask DP and he just shrugs and says he's not sure (not that he would take that much notice anyway!)
Someone told me that you can use the finger? effect to tell if the baby has dropped? Apparently you can use your fore and middle finger from your breastbone down ? Sorry if that doesn't make sense - I didn't really understand how it worked...
So, my last mid wife appointment is next week but I'd just like your opinions now because I'm getting the feeling that this baby is going to come early....don't ask....it's just a feeling...(and also the midwife said last time that our baby is measuring a week ahead then what my dates are saying)
I am in my 37th week at the moment. She hasn't slowed her activity down though and I have read from other threads that there is supposed to be a 'calm before the storm' so to speak.
I'm feeling quite sick lately in the tummy and getting a lot of pain in my lower back and pelvis..
What has been your experience ??

**katherine** · 11-03-2007 17:46

i use to feel like babies head was bouncing further and further down. sending sharp shooting "lightening"(as i have heard a few refer to it as) pains in my pelvic bone.....

**viperpt** · 11-03-2007 18:19

My baby has been engaged for the past couple of weeks and I have been getting pressure pains in my pubis. I feels as if the babys head is rubbing down there..

**bigglet** · 11-03-2007 18:22

I didn't experience this - my OB did say that the baby had dropped into the pelvic area at my 36 week check up but I never noticed anything different - I still peed a lot, nothing different

**~Emmylou~** · 11-03-2007 20:03

I actually didn't notice it with my first baby - like you the need to pee had been pretty constant for nine months so no change there....but about 2 weeks before she was born people started commenting that she was lower. And my DH really noticed it he went into overdrive trying to get everything organised

I took no notice of any of this because at the time people started saying she'd dropped I was only 34/35 weeks. Ha of course I hadn't dropped

Well guess what? She was born at 36 weeks....I probably should've taken more notice

**TinyStar** · 13-03-2007 20:26

My heartburn stopped, and if it was at all possible I felt "less" pregnant iykwim.

There was less pressure on my upper organs, so I wasn't as out of breath.

**Ashleigh<3** · 13-03-2007 20:33

I noticed a week before giving birth, my belly all around was soft, no more was it hard as a rock, it was all squishy and I looked much smaller then before. That's when I'd look in the mirror and bubs looked more down.

I seriously don't know either..

**MissSparkle** · 15-03-2007 12:25

Im the same as Ash. My tummy went softer and looked smaller. I had pain in my pubic area from pinched nerves the whole pregnancy so the engagement of the head wasn't obvious painwise!

**bAaM** · 15-03-2007 14:23

When u can put ur hole hand to fit between the top of your belly and under ur boobs you have dropped i had alot of pressure period pain while bub was moving down my heartburn slowed and i could breath propley i also started to wadle. As for movements slowing down i had my show at 38 weeks and bub got more active then i was ment to be induced at 41 weeks on a monday but on the sunday i was feeling really energetic but had really sore knees and cramp like pains in my upper legs we went out for dinner then came home to bed and i woke up at 11:30 to go to the loo and my waters broke it was about a cup full and it just keeps dripping. Marissa was still kicking my ribs as i was pushing she never stoped moving
I hope this helps