When will my baby drop? Here's what lightening in pregnancy feels like

If you're a first-time mom, your baby will probably drop two to four weeks before labor, perhaps even earlier. If you've had a baby before, your baby may not drop until your labor starts. It's impossible to predict exactly when this will happen, because each pregnancy is unique.

"My second baby dropped around 35 or 36 weeks, and he came at 38 weeks," says BabyCenter Community member Hoff2190. "This baby dropped around 36 weeks, I think. I hit 38 weeks today and she's still in there."

What does "lightening" in pregnancy mean?

When your baby "drops," it means they descend into your pelvis in preparation for labor. The process is also called "lightening" because it creates space between your breasts and your pelvis – you may actually feel lighter.

"Your provider can help identify when your baby has dropped by feeling on your belly where the baby's head is in relation to your pelvis," says Kristin Cohen, DNP, a certified nurse midwife and board-certified women's healthcare nurse practitioner in New Jersey. "Also, many providers measure what we call a fundal height each visit (the distance from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus, which should measure in centimeters approximately equivalent to how many weeks pregnant you are). After steadily increasing throughout pregnancy, this measurement will decrease when the baby has engaged, since the baby has moved lower in your body."

I hear people say that they're very happy to be breathing easier, eating a bit more comfortably, and feeling less intense pressure against their ribs. It's a welcome sign that your pregnancy journey has almost come to an end!

- Krisin Cohen, DNP, certified nurse midwife and board-certified women's healthcare nurse practitioner

Lightening doesn't mean labor is about to happen, though! Carrying your baby lower isn't a sign that you're about to go into labor, nor does carrying your baby higher mean that labor is far off.

Usually a baby's head enters the pelvis first, but if the baby is breech, their butt or feet will be settling into place instead. Once your baby drops down and settles into your pelvis, their position is called "engaged."

Baby dropping signs and symptoms

You'll probably be able to tell when your baby has dropped because some pregnancy complaints may get worse while others improve.

"Although lightening may mean that you're trading some uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms for others, most of the time I hear people say that they're very happy to be breathing easier, eating a bit more comfortably, and feeling less intense pressure against their ribs," Cohen says. "It's a welcome sign that your pregnancy journey has almost come to an end!"

Here are some signs that your baby has dropped into your pelvis:

• You need to pee even more often than before because of increased pressure on your bladder.
• You have increasing discomfort when you walk. (You may waddle.)
• You may have back pain as your baby puts increased pressure on the muscles and joints in your lower back.
• You may develop hemorrhoids (or they may get worse, if you have them) as increased pressure affects the veins of the rectum.
• You may be able to eat a little more without feeling uncomfortably full now that there's less pressure on your stomach.
• Your breathing feels easier.
• You may get some relief from any heartburn you've been experiencing.
• You may notice a change in how your belly looks because you're carrying lower.
• You may lose your mucus plug as your baby puts more pressure on your cervix.

"My first dropped about two weeks before I had her," says BabyCenter Community member GoofyGranola. "My second dropped maybe three days before, and my third felt like he never really dropped. I had heartburn while in labor!"

What does it feel like when my baby drops?

When your baby drops, you may feel it all at once, as a noticeable downward movement. Or you may not even notice. You're likely to feel "lighter," though, now that there's more space and your baby is no longer pressing on your diaphragm.

Several moms in the BabyCenter Community say it was easier to breathe after their baby dropped:

• "I can breathe so much easier and I feel more pressure in my pelvis," says BeeSan4.
• "At my 39-week appointment, my doctor felt my baby's head very low. I also can breathe easier and I feel his hiccups low in my abdomen," says MW101422.
• "My baby girl dropped at 34+5 weeks. It was very noticeable since I was carrying high, and I had such relief in breathing better and was able to finally eat more food," says VictoriaSK.

At the same time, you may feel pressure deep in your pelvis, as your baby's head settles in.

I can breathe so much easier and I feel more pressure in my pelvis.

- BabyCenter Community member BeeSan4

If you feel an increase in pelvic pressure or the sensation that your baby is pushing down before 37 weeks, call your healthcare provider so they can make sure you aren't in preterm labor.

How long after my baby drops does labor start?

Although your baby dropping indicates that your body is getting ready for delivery, it doesn't predict when labor will start. It may still be weeks before the big day.

"I've been dropped for two weeks, lost my mucus plug, spotting, everything – and nothing!" says BabyCenter Community member KrisM1796.

Still, lightening is one of many changes that may signal upcoming labor. Other changes include losing your mucus plug, your water breaking, and feeling contractions. You may or may not have these changes before your labor starts, but each is a possible sign.

Learn more:

• Third trimester checklist
• Labor positions
• Baby must-haves: Your newborn essentials checklist