36 weeks pregnant and bump has dropped!

[Katrina33]

Hi everyone,

Im 36 weeks pregnant with first baby and when I got up this morning my bump has really dropped! Also noticed less movement from baby and a few dull aches and pains. Feeling very tired today too!

Is this likely to be the beginning of labour? Or is this normal a few weeks before?

Thanks x

It's normal for the bump to drop a few weeks before with your first baby. It's also normal to have aches and pains - sorry!

Keep an eye on movements though, and if they don't seem normal to you get checked out. The baby should move right up to and including labour - you'll know best what are normal movements for your baby.

Thanks, I'm still feeling movement, just not as much or as extreme. I've got a final scan tomorrow to check the position of the placenta so I'm sure they'll check everything then

I am 36 weeks too and at midwife appt today, she said baby's head had started to engage in my pelvis, so this is probably the same thing that has happened..all the closer to the finishing line!

Mine dropped at 34 weeks and I'm now 40 weeks exactly and no baby!! Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...

Mine dropped at exactly 36 wks - I could feel it and the additional pressure on pelvis and according to mw at my check-up a few days later, baby is 3/5 engaged. I didn't get a change in movement, I don't think, though.

I dropped one day short of 36 weeks. Had a mw appointment on the day after and 3/5 engaged. That was yesterday so could be hours, days or weeks now. Only she knows when she's planning to come out. :)

Reduced movements are not normal, if you think baby is moving less than before, you should ask to be monitored.

From what I've read reduced movement is common as your baby has less space to move around. I'm seeing the midwife tomorrow anyway.

Thanks everyone

This is from the latest RCOG Guidelines:

"Clinicians should be aware (and should advise women) that although fetal movements tend to plateau at 32 weeks of gestation, there is no reduction in the frequency of fetal movements in the late third trimester"

I do not wish to scaremonger. I don't want to be alarmist. I am the most laid-back person in the world when it comes to 'stuff being wrong' and am one of those people who doesn't like to be a burden so will wait until a leg is hanging off before seeing a doctor. But reduced movement isn't something that should be ignored, or left. I don't want to be a nag, but really I think that if movement has reduced, and you know it's reduced, it's worth calling the MW now.

There's a very good thread on here about Count the Kicks - started over a year ago and still going strong - lots and lots of women who reported reduced movement late on and found out it was nothing, and a minority who had reduced movement and needed to take immediate action.

Well done FLISSPAPS (claps with admiration)

I wish people understood there is NO SUCH THING as the 'slow down' its a myth!

People should also remember its not just reduced movement it's also any change of pattern.

Katrina: I'm sure everything will be fine tomorrow when you see the midwife. Get the baby moving now by drinking iced water etc and having something sugary to eat :)

Good luck with the baby.....not long to go now!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the movements can feel less intense as there is less room for the baby to move, but they should not decrease in frequency. E.g. might feel more like squirming than actual kicking. Is that right?

Agree with the above poster. Although the frequency of movements should not change, the type of movement will - my baby went from kicks and jabs to squirms and gentle rolling. But still frequent and still strong.

Thanks guys, I saw the midwife today and had a scan (planned) and everything is fine . Hopefully baby will stay put a few more weeks!

Very pleased to hear it