In all, carrying a baby low at the end of pregnancy doesn't mean labor will be shorter, happen sooner, or be a breeze. It is reassuring that your body is preparing, so be kind to yourself and get plenty of rest ahead of the big day!
A first pregnancy may look higher since your abdominal wall isn't yet stretched out. With each pregnancy after your first, the abdominal wall gets stretched out and your baby may appear to be carried lower.
Carrying low means that the largest part of your abdomen is sitting low and closer to the pelvis. Carrying low is more common when having multiples, if it is your second or third pregnancy, or if you do not have strong abdominal muscles. Some women also experience diastasis recti or abdominal separation.
In first-time mothers, dropping usually occurs 2 to 4 weeks before delivery, but it can happen earlier. In women who have already had children, the baby may not drop until labor begins. You may or may not notice a change in the shape of your abdomen after dropping.
You May Carry Lower
Second pregnancies tend to "carry" lower, too. That's because your abdominal muscles may be weaker which means less support for your growing uterus than before. With less support, it drops lower in your abdomen.
Low birthweight is when a baby is born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces. Some babies with low birthweight are healthy, even though they're small.
Some mood changes are normal in pregnancy, like feeling tired or irritable. But if you're feeling low and hopeless all the time, and no longer enjoy the things you used to, talk to a midwife or GP. Signs and symptoms of antenatal depression include: feeling sad, a low mood, or tearful a lot of the time.
Baby dropping signs and symptoms
You need to urinate 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.
Key Takeaways at 32 Weeks Pregnant
When this happens, you may notice you suddenly go from “carrying high” to “carrying low.” Baby is most likely positioned head down at this point. Don't panic if your ob-gyn or midwife says that they're in breech position. There's still time for your little one to turn.
Movement and Kicking in the Pubic Area
But don't worry, fetal movements in the pubic area are normal and very common, if not annoying. Call your doctor if you feel any kicking in your vagina, as a vaginal kick could indicate a rare but serious complication called cervical insufficiency.
It's almost go time, so baby is likely positioned head down, or will be very soon. A 33-week fetus is also making its way toward your pelvis, so you may feel like your belly has “dropped” lower. Some babies wait until the last minute to make this move, however, so don't worry if you don't feel any changes.
What week are most first babies born? If you're still wondering whether your baby will be born before 40 weeks, or if she's likely to be late, according to this study the week in which most first babies are born is week 40.
Is labour likely to be faster second time around? Yes, labour is likely to be shorter with a second or subsequent birth . It is especially likely that the early part will become stronger more quickly, so you might need to consider getting to the place where you will give birth earlier than last time.
For some moms-to-be, constantly touching, patting, rubbing and holding their belly can be soothing. For others, it's a way to feel close to the baby inside. But no matter the reason, rubbing your belly simply makes you feel good.
Warning Signs of Premature Labor
Menstrual-like cramps felt in the lower abdomen that may come and go or be constant. Low dull backache felt below the waistline that may come and go or be constant. Pelvic pressure that feels like your baby is pushing down. This pressure comes and goes.
In the days before labour starts, you might notice some subtle signs. It can be hard to tell them apart from your normal pregnancy discomforts. You might notice a change in the discharge from your vagina or a few cramps in your abdomen. You may have a low, dull ache in your back that can come and go.
You may notice an increase in mild cramps or Braxton Hicks contractions ("practice" contractions) that feel like a tightening or hardening of the uterus as you approach delivery. Additionally, you may notice a sensation of building pressure or cramping in your pelvic/rectal area.
Researchers now believe that when a baby is ready for life outside his mother's uterus, his body releases a tiny amount of a substance that signals the mother's hormones to begin labor (Condon, Jeyasuria, Faust, & Mendelson, 2004). In most cases, your labor will begin only when both your body and your baby are ready.
Gently bouncing on an exercise ball to induce labor not only encourages baby to move down and in turn assist with cervix dilation, but it can also soothe baby, Green says. Sit on the exercise ball, with your legs wide apart, and move your hips up and down.
Walking and exercise often make it to the top of the list of things to try. While there's no research that says it will induce labor, 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least five times a week can be helpful in any stage of pregnancy.