26 Weeks Pregnant and Feeling Lots of Pressure

Wow, I could have written the above my last pregnancy!
Yep, I think it's because it's your third, you fell more pressure because of softened ligaments, etc. I had the same thing...it felt like the baby was going to fall out! :)

Added: Seriously, the SAME thing happened with me, don't let the answers here panic you!! You can always get checked at the Doctors, they don't mind you coming in for that.

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I had a lot of pressure in my second pregnancy and from 32 weeks she was fully engaged , I was convinced she was going to be early but no , she was 6 days late. I found if hard to walk properly as it always felt like she was right there just waiting to come out (the best way I can describe it). Anyway on a positive note I had a very quick labour , 3 hrs from first contraction to delivery and 2 pushes and she was delivered.
I would say this is normal , because once your body has already been through pregnancy and birth you feel every ache and pain earlier and a lot more. As long as the contraction do not become longer , stronger and you start to dilate then you are fine.

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Totally normal and to be expected! Previous pregnancies have stretched out your abdominal wall so all that muscle that used to support your growing belly is stretched out adding to the pressure on your pelvis. I used to get sharp pains down my groin even, so badly I'd have to sit down while totally thinking I was having labor pains! My doctor told me about my lovely stretched out abdominal's and low and behold my 2nd little guy showed up late despite all of it. If sitting decreases the pressure, do that for a few minutes until the pain eases. Just take things real slow and easy form here on....and congratulations on your 3rd!!! Very exciting! :-)

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You will feel more pulling/pain and show earlier with each pregnancy totally normal and way too early on the head down, they keep moving and flipping till end. sit down and relax, need more of that as you get older and have more kids.

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Also in my third pregnancy and will be 26 weeks on Tuesday. I have that feeling when the baby in head down in the pelvic I don't know if it is just because I am a little more loose in the ligaments this time around but I have noticed it. I have also been getting Braxton Hicks contraction now since about 21-22 weeks. My little one is still moving a lot and sometimes goes with head up or on the side so I get relief then but when she is head down ohh the pressure. I would say though doesn't hurt to call the ob/midwife anyhow if you feel too worried.

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I too had horrible pain/ pressure down there from about the same time as you on. Ii was so bad with my 3rd pregnancy and a nightmare with my 4th. The pain would get unbearable just doing the dishes. Try to sit down as much as you can. Hot baths also really helped me. It is no fun :(

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Hi, S., here is a suggestion in addition to all of the sound advice you have already gotten (definitely your doctor should be your top resource in terms of safety, etc.).

I'm 39 weeks today (!) with my second pregnancy, and at about 30 or 32 weeks I started feeling an enormous amount of pressure and pelvic discomfort, which I didn't recall from my first pregnancy. I didn't know how I was going to make it for 8 more weeks!

I rediscovered my maternity support belt, though (which I had from my first pregnancy, though don't remember loving quite so much then...), and it has really given me a new lease on these last weeks. I wear it whenever I'm up and about, to work, running errands, etc, then take a break when I'm home just relaxing around the house. It makes an enormous difference, and I am so much more comfortable.

I have the Motherhood Maternity Ultimate Maternity Belt, but here is a link to several options on their website:

http://www.motherhood.com/maternity/support-belts-and-sha...

Hope this helps, and best wishes,
H. S

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Most likely it's just the normal changes that happen and you feel more with each pregnancy. I know with my third I was having contractions and lots of pressure from about 22 weeks, especially later in the day. My doc wasn't overly concerned, but it made me nervous, so I made sure to take more time sitting down and resting, which usually helped with the pressure and contractions. I agree that I would try to rest and get plenty of fluids and see what happens. If it helps, you are probably not starting ""real" labor, but if it continues and/or get worse I would be more concerned.

If resting does not seem to help, if things seem to be progressing (more pressure, stronger and/or regular contractions, etc.), definitely go get checked out. They'd rather have you come get checked out and have it be nothing than have you at home trying to deliver on your own, so there's no reason to feel embarrassed (trust me - been there, done that). For what it's worth, I definitely found I had to intentionally find more time to sit and rest with my third than with my others since the older two keep you so busy you sometimes forget to take care of yourself and baby #3. I would feel guilty about it, but then realized it wasn't being selfish - it was just taking care of my new baby like I did my other children. Take care and good luck!

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Hi S.,

If nothing happens by Monday, call and ask the doctor's office to have you come in Monday morning to be checked. It really worries me that you have this pressure and the baby's head is already down. Having gone into premature labor at 24 weeks with my first, I'm a little more careful in thinking about this.

Meanwhile, spend Sunday laying down on your left side resting. Don't get up and down and do stuff tomorrow, really, except to go to the bathroom. It certainly won't hurt, and could really help until the doctor checks you. Also, drink plenty of water. The uterus is a smooth muscle tissue, and contracts if it becomes dehydrated. Also, if you hold your urine, the full bladder will push on the uterus, also causing the uterus to contract. So drink, pee, drink, pee. Between staying hydrated, peeing, and laying down, you are giving yourself the best chance of being the most careful you can be right now, at least until the doctor can tell you if everything is okay.

Best of luck to you,
D.

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I just had my third baby on New Year's Eve and I experienced the same feeling. My OB said that it is because that by the third time around, everything is already stretched out, so you feel that much earlier.

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I am pregnant with my 2nd and I experienced that pressure exactly from weeks 18-26. I never had that with my 1st pregnancy either so I was a bit worried. The baby is head down as well and I have low lying placenta but dr. said neither is the reason for pressure. The techs at the hospital for our ultrasound as well as my OB just attributed it to stretched out muscles and things in that area being looser with the second. I am also very swollen this time. They told me not to worry and get off my feet as much as possible. Of course that is easier said than done b/c I teach and have a toddler at home. They also recommended a maternity band to take pressure off the area. It lifts the belly a bit and provides a little extra support. It was pretty affordable at Destination Maternity. Helps a bit. MIne is better the past two weeks at 28 weeks so good luck and rest up!

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get your self to the hospital !!! if you feeling pressure in your pelvis, and the baby has already turned, chances are good, you will be going into labor, VERY SOON . so unless you want to give birth in your
bathroom , like ben and i went through. pick up the phone and call someone you trust to take you to the
hospital. just because you are not as far into your pregnancy as your previous pregnancies, does not mean that you cant go into early labor with this one.in fact your second and third and forth etc. etc.
labor and delivery are typically shorter than the one before it.
K. h.

Hi, S.:

Maybe you need a maturnity support fot lift the pressure off your muscles in your pelvis.
Look on the web for supports.

Good luck. D.