Hi Mommas! I am 31 1/2 weeks pregnant with my 2nd baby and this morning when I woke up I noticed that the baby had dropped. I have called my doctor's office and am waiting on a call back, but wanted to know if any of y'all have experienced a baby dropping early and if so did you go into early labor? I never dropped with my first baby. I remember the doctor saying that it's common for woman with short torsos to not drop at all, so I guess I assumed I wouldn't drop with this baby, but that is obviously not the case. Let me know of your experiences with dropping early! Thanks so much!
Thanks for the responses everyone! I went to the doctor this morning and he wasn't too concerned about the dropping, but he was very concerned that I have been having really bad cramping. He checked my cervix and it was fine but also did a test that he said should give him some accuracy in determining if I will deliver early, as in the next 2 to 3 weeks. I should get the results back this afternoon so I'm hoping for the best!
My last child -out of three, my son, dropped early (at about the same time as you). Didn't really have any problems, but I did go out shopping (too long of a time standing) at about 3 weeks til due date and sure enough my water broke. He was completely healthy!
Hi B.,
I have many years of midwifery training, though by the time I was ready to start getting ready for my actual license, my third baby was born and I decided to raise my own babies before going any further.
It is very uncommon for a FIRST baby to drop prior to early labor, but it is very COMMON for a second baby or later one to drop many weeks before the estimated due date. This is mainly considered to be because the body already "knows" what to do, so it loosens things up a little earlier. With my second baby I felt like I was walking around with a basketball between my legs for about a month and a half!
Not to worry, it doesn't mean you are threatening pre-term labor. The signs of that would be any unusual cramping (a bit of ligament pain as everything stretches at this stage is very common, though, so don't panic if you have twinges, even if they hurt quite a bit. Cramping is more overall and continuous), bleeding/spotting, losing your mucous plug, that sort of thing.
Don't let anyone scare you--not even your doctor--into any kind of interventions unless they can show you medical evidence of a problem. But this is pretty normal.
Blessings on your birth!
My second dropped that early too, and I started having braxton-hicks around that time. However, no dialation or anything until I was induced at 39 weeks. It's nothing to worry about.
I too have a short torso and I dropped with both my kids.
man, i hope not. my son just dropped a couple of days ago (and i'm only 30 weeks today).
i tend not to do anything by the book persay, but my son "dropped" about two months before he was born. his head was way down for a long time.
Wait and see what the doctor says I don't think it's any reason for concerned if I remember correctly My baby dropped about 3 weeks early, no problem other than the discomfort. Congratulations
It's possibly just that your body knows the drill now and is getting ready early. I wouldnt be too worried.
