Baby dropping in pelvis (lightening)

[spade22]

Does anyone know whether this happens "slowly" or is relatively "fast"?  For instance, does the baby slowly descend into the birth canal over a period of days or weeks or does this happen much faster (i.e. is a dramatic change noticed from night to morning or even within a few mins)?

[spade22]

A 4 h birthing experience!  That sounds great!  I hope that happens to me (this is my first so I dont hold much hope for that).

[BTS1022]

With my babies it always happened dramatically, I would wake up and stand and go *OMG he's gonna fall out* With my youngest son I was taking a walk in the mall because my cervix was stuck at 3cm and I was having contractions, All I needed was his head to engage on the cervix to help dialte me. Anyways I was walking to the food court and next thing I know im clutching my tummy because it felt like he was gonna fall lol. 4 hours later I had him in my arms.

[irrelevance]

As with almost every aspect of pregnancy it's different for each one. Personally my baby dropped at 34 weeks and I could tell a difference in getting up out of bed one morning, but he gradually dropped further and further. But the first day it was sort of a sudden change. So I guess I could say both!

[loismwallace]

I noticed mine dropped because I couldn't roll over in bed without it feeling like I was a wishbone. Felt like someone was just pulling me apart. When I got up that morning you could see my stomach was much lower than it had been. Before it was just under my boobs and now it's not.....

[loismwallace]

I've read that in your first, it can happen weeks before and that if you've had kids before it tends to happen before l/d. But like anything dealing with pregnancy, I'm sure that changes with person to pregnancy. My baby girl dropped over the weekend. Found out I'm dialated 2cm at 36w3d.

[spade22]

Hmmmmm.....  I haven't been feeling quite as winded over the last few days as I have been over the last few weeks and have been feeling alot of pressure in the lower pelvis BUT my "bump" still looks pretty high so I was wondering if Jazmine is in the process of dropping.  I know that "when" dropping occurs  can differ from women-to-women and pregnancy-to-pregnancy but there doesnt seem to be much information on how long the actual dropping process takes - it sounds like this is variable too.

[mommyoftwo28644]

With both of my pregnancies it happened during labor and I also agree with losingmymindga that everyone is different. GL :o)

[blueeyedtabbycat]

I think with both my boys it happened about 2 weeks before labor started. I remember waking up one morning and being able to breath again, lol! But as LosingMyMindGA said every woamn and pregnancy is diffrent. Sometimes it noticable and sometimes not. But when are to the breaking point and cant breath well with your little one hogging all the room and you can suddenly breath alot better better....you probably dropped:)

[LosingMyMindInGA]

there are many factors to consider....it depends on the woman, the particular pregnancy...if it's your first or subsequent.  It can happen awhile before birth or during birth.  Sometimes you can feel it sometimes you can't.  Out of 4 births so far, i've only felt one drop...and it was sudden just before i had to start pushing.