You’re coming to the end of your pregnancy, and you’ve had it with the heartburn and heavy breathing. You’ve been crossing off the days on your calendar and are counting down until you meet your new baby.
But how do you know when your body is getting ready for the main event? If you’ve had all the horrible pregnancy symptoms you can take, you’re probably eager to know the signs that your baby has dropped.
What does it mean when baby ‘drops’?
As the third trimester of pregnancy comes to a close, the baby will “drop” lower into the pelvis. This process is commonly called “lightening”. Some of the signs that lightening has occurred include less frequent heartburn, easier breathing and increased urge to pee.
Most first-time moms will find that their baby drops somewhere around the last 2 weeks of their pregnancy. If this is your second or subsequent pregnancy, your baby will drop when labour is ready to begin, since the pelvis has already been stretched with the first delivery.
If you’re counting down the days until your little one arrives, look for some of these signs that your baby has dropped, and that labour will be starting soon.
1. You’ll keep peeing
When your baby drops, your uterus will practically be laying on your bladder. As a result, you’ll make more frequent trips to the bathroom.
2. You’ll experience lesser heartburns
As your pregnancy progresses, your growing uterus pushes your stomach upwards, leaving you with uncomfortable heartburn. As your baby drops, you will have less pressure in your upper body, making you slightly more comfortable.
3. You’ll have an easier time breathing
If you were carrying high through your pregnancy, you’ll breathe a big sigh of relief once baby has dropped. Once the baby has lowered into the pelvis, it moves further away from the rib cage and you’ll be able to breathe a whole lot easier.
4. You’ll have a different walk
When baby drops, her head will be putting a lot of pressure on your pelvis. This may change your walk from a confident stride, to the legendary pregnancy penguin waddle.
5. Your bump will look different
In addition to the physical symptoms of lightening, you will see a visual difference too. Your belly will look different as you will go from carrying him high to carrying very low.
6. You’ll experience false contractions
When baby has dropped, your body begins to prepare itself for the labour process. One of the ways it does this is by thinning your cervix with pre-labour contractions.
It is common to experience pre-labour or Braxton Hicks contractions during the lightening process.
7. You’ll be able to eat more
During the last trimester, you will start have lesser appetite as baby grows and starts to take up a lot of space in there. When baby drops down into your pelvis, you will have more room in your stomach. And when you have less baby in your belly, you’ll have a lot more room for food!
Pregnancy To Parenthood Seminar Series
If you wish to know more about your journey through pregnancy, as well as detailed explanations of what to expect during labour and delivery, this seminar is for you!
Date: Saturday, 7 July, 2018
Registration: 1:30 pm
Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00pm
Venue: Singapore Expo Max Atria
Room: Peridot 201-203
Find out more about this helpful seminar for mums- and dads-to-be right here! https://www.mummysmarket.com.sg/deal/pregnancy-parenthood-seminar-series-know-it-all-pregnancy-delivery-breastfeeding
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