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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

How does it feel when baby drops

19 replies

Marabou · 19/04/2011 14:40

I just finished an hour swaying and leaning forward on my birthing ball and when I got up I started getting this really uncomfortable feeling very low in my bump. It's a mixture of heavy feeling, sharp pains and nausea. Could this mean the baby is engaged? I'm 36+1 weeks and don't think I've had BH so far, or if I have I've complitely missed them, so I'm not sure if this is them instead..

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firstpregnancy · 19/04/2011 15:28

I would also like to know the answer to this, so shall be watching this thread! I think I get the occasional BH - it's a bit like a tightening (some people describe it as a feeling of 'shrink-wrapping') across the bottom of my bump - usually if I have over-exerted myself, or laid on my back, or even (oddly) gone around a sharp bend in the car when I am a passenger.

I am 36+6, and so far the only indication I've had that the baby might have moved is that I am no longer constipated, although it could just be because my baby has shifted position more generally, I suppose.

Original poster

Marabou · 19/04/2011 15:42

Aaah, well I do get those sensations! Especially, as you say, if I've been walking too much or something like that.. I didn't realise that's what they were, I just thought the baby was moving..

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ng1412 · 19/04/2011 16:30

Are you due for a m/w appointment soon? I went yesterday and was told the head was 3/5th engaged so on its way down but not completely engaged. I knew this had happened last week as I felt more pressure in my pelvic area and increasing need to pee (more than usual!). Plus when I get up I have some kind of pelvic pain and a funny sensation which feels like baby will come out, my automatic reaction is to cup the pelvic area.

Not sure if that helps but that's definitely what's happened to me and I am same as you both, 36 weeks.

scaryfairy28 · 19/04/2011 16:49

Ah I have this feeling too! When the baby moves I feel like something might pop have had a few pains in my pubic bone too. I put it on the childbirth page and someone said it might be SPD which I'm pretty sure it isnt. I'm 35+5 was 1/5 engaged at 34 week appointment.

LittleMilla · 19/04/2011 17:01

My baby is 4/5ths engaged (I am 39+2). This is my life:

When I need to plop, I NEED to plop! Think it's because baby puts pressure on my bowels. And I am flipping regular too. Sometimes feels like I will literally sh*t myself if I don't get to a loo NOW.

I can eat - hooray! After suffering from heartburn in 2nd trimester this is a welcome addition.

I can not just eat, but I can actively stuff my face. Suddenly my appetite and ability to cram lots of food in has returned

I wee when I sneeze. Guessing that this is pressure on bladder vs. crap pelvic floor muscles as it's been more than OK up until very recently

SPD pain has started to be on my pubic bone and not just on my back/hips. Again, think this must be pressure from baby's head

My DH said he felt something odd when we attempted exy the other day

My bra size has gone from 36 to 34. Putting this down to everything heading south and ripcage started to go back to normal (I was a 32 pre-pg).

This has all happened between going from 3/5ths (at about 34 weeks) until now.

FirstVix · 19/04/2011 17:01

Just came back from midwife to be told 3/5 engaged at 38 weeks (wasn't engaged at all at 36). As I've been carrying low, the toilet need thing has been a constant issue so no difference there!

However, for the last 4 days I have felt shooting pains down my legs every-so-often and pain in my pelvis at the front. Midwife agreed that the pelvic pains could well be DC (to be) moving its head as it was now lower and that these were all good signs (oweee!).

ng1412 · 19/04/2011 17:18

LittleMilla do you mean baby's head is 2/5th engaged? The measurement is the amount the m/w can feel in relation to the pelvis. So she can feel less each time, as baby's head descends ready for birth, if that makes sense!!

So.....if the m/w can feel the whole head when examining the mother's abdomen, it is 5/5th. If she cannot feel any of the head, it is 0/5ths palpable. The head must be engaged at 0/5ths, 1/5th, or 2/5ths palpable.

4/5 palpable means that only a fifth of the head has entered the pelvis, so it has not yet engaged.

LittleMilla · 19/04/2011 17:37

ng yes I mean its 2/5ths.

She said that it's unlikely to go much further in without contractions...so I took that to mean we're locked and loaded. AND WAITING!!

Original poster

Marabou · 19/04/2011 17:37

I'm due a MW appointment on Thursday, but I'm thinking now she will tell me LO is still free floating, as almost right after the funny sensation things went back to normal.. Is that possible? I mean can they go in there for a bit and then just pop out again..?

LittleMilla, I also suffer from SPD and the pain is definitely still on my back and hips, so I suppose the head is not in the pelvis yet.

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redandyellowandpinkandgreen · 19/04/2011 17:47

I didn't notice anything happening at all!

LittleMilla · 19/04/2011 18:05

Marabou I didn't have a 'moment' per se, just noticed the above things happening over time. From what I've heard/read, it can happily pop in and out right up until you go in to labour. So I wouldn't sweat it too much.

And from what I am finding, it means sweet FA in terms of baby's arrival!

Bogeyface · 19/04/2011 18:05

ng1412, I found a bit of aproblem with the fractions thing. Some midwives use it to describe how much is in the pelvis and some to describe how much is out! I asked me mw and they are supposed to all do it the same way but they dont always and it annoys them too :o

I am 35 weeks and still free floating, so have 3 weeks to get her head well down so I can have my 38 week induction...fingers crossed!

Leilababyno1 · 19/04/2011 18:09

I just got back from my 38 wk antenatal appointment today and MW said babies head is engaged when she examined me. When I asked her by how much- she just said she didn't measure how much, just that it's engaged. I think all MWs are different. Even in my notes, she has just written 'engaged' without a measurement..

ng1412 · 19/04/2011 18:27

Marabou they can move back out again but you will probably be surprised at your m/w appointment. I didn't think that my baby would have engaged as I wasn't sure what the heck I was supposed to look out for but she confirmed it on Monday.

Let us know how you get on!

LittleMilla, not long to go then, lucky you!!

Original poster

Marabou · 19/04/2011 18:34

Hm, I hope it will go there earlier than that though, as at the moment, I can't walk much at all due to the SPD pain in my back.. Um, what FA ..?

Bogeyface have you done all the usual swayings on the birthing ball, "walking" on all fours etc. ?

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Bogeyface · 19/04/2011 18:39

picking up the birthing ball tomorrow marabou!

Original poster

Marabou · 19/04/2011 18:44

Oh and someone recommended this website on here before.

www.spinningbabies.com/

I haven't been on it too much, but it's supposed to be extremely helpful and even recommended by some midwives.

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Original poster

Marabou · 21/04/2011 18:53

Yau! Just got back from my MW appointment and she told me baby's head was 2/5ths engaged! Told DH that baby's engaged and he asked me shocked "To whom?!" Bless him !

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davidtennantsmistress · 21/04/2011 18:59

DS was 4/5th's for about 3 weeks prior to going into labour with him (even the day before apparently) - only way I can describe it is I was constantly waddling when walking - everything even walking to the kitchen took me an age, and I could rest my arm on my bump without my boobs getting in the way iycwim.

no idea on the sex thing, never had any BH's with him either. but that's waht walking about was like.

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