Does my bump have to "drop" before labour?

[PJsAreClothesToo]

I'm a couple of days overdue now.... and am wondering if it's essential to get that feeling of baby having dropped down right before labor? My bump still seems quite high and I'm not waddling or feeling any pressure on the pelvic floor yet. But... I am getting a low dull backache and bump tightening a lot and I have that slightly queasy feeling you get just before your period - cramps (not painful just uncomfortable) coming and going. Woke up several times in the night with twinges low down but having been having these for a couple of weeks now.

Do you think I'm getting close? Haven't had a show yet but definitely increased discharge... (lovely)

Mine never seemed to drop, are your twinges getting more uncomfortable/painful? I think you could be close...

Your body's warming up, getting in gear. I think you're definitely close...

The baby doesn't always drop before labour, particularly if it's not the first. As for the show, I didn't have mine until well into established labour with nos1 and 2, and I don't recall having one at all with no3.

It sounds like you are getting closer. Mine did not drop either and my show came about 5 mins before my waters went! Actually I think it was me trying to pick up the jelly on the floor to show the midwife that prompted the waters to go.

Sorry if TMI!

Good luck.

nope. mine didn't.

My bump didn't drop at all, my gran didn't believe I was in labour, told me it was impossible because my bump was still too high up.

A midwife once told me that some women don't 'drop' - particularly African Caribbean women, incidentally - because of the different shape of their pelvises. If you have a higher, narrower pelvis, the baby may not drop until labour is underway.

Oh, and two days before my due date my midwife told me my cervix was 'tight as a nut' and I would definitely be going overdue by a week or so. I went into labour 36 hours later.

So, bodily signs are only an indication but you never know until you know...