In the last weeks, some time before birth, the baby's head should move down into your pelvis. When your baby's head moves down like this, it's said to be "engaged". When this happens, you may notice your bump seems to move down a little. Sometimes the head does not engage until labour starts.
In first time mothers it usually means labour is 2-4 weeks away. For women who've already had children, the baby may not 'drop' until labour begins. It can even vary for the same woman with different pregnancies too.
When will my baby drop? 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.
Try a gentle walk
The gentle pressure from your baby's head on your cervix could stimulate your body into releasing oxytocin, a hormone that encourages contractions.
Your baby's head is engaged in your pelvis
Once your baby "drops", you may feel larger rolls — along with every move of baby's head on the cervix, which may feel like sharp electric twinges down there. But you'll still feel baby moving every day when all is well.
Many women go into labour without the baby's head being engaged. It is very common if you have had a vaginal delivery before as the uterus is not as firm and there is less pressure pushing the baby into the birth canal before the onset of labour.
If your baby's head has 'engaged' (entered the pelvic cavity), you might be feeling more pressure lower down in your pelvis. You might even feel baby's head putting pressure on your cervix, which can be quite uncomfortable. You'll probably need to go to the toilet even more often.
Sometimes a baby's head can be engaged one day and not the next. Why does engagement happen? As baby gets bigger there is less room in uterus and the abdominal cavity and so baby's head is pushed down into the pelvis, to make more room.
The science suggests that the pressure of baby's head pressing down on the cervix promotes the release of oxytocin, the hormone that stimulates birth. While gentle exercise is beneficial in pregnancy, expectant mums should take it easy and now is not the time for power walking.
This piece is important because when a baby's head is low, it adds more pressure to the cervix and helps with dilation and thinning out. This is measured in centimeters in relation to the ischial spines of your pelvis (the narrowest part of your pelvis), with the level of the ischial spines being 0 station.
Even though curb walking and walking can be effective at encouraging the baby to move into a better birthing position, experts say these activities won't trigger labor if your body isn't ready to go into labor. The same is true of any induction method.
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.
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.
Symptoms not to ignore when you're 36 weeks pregnant
You have a persistent headache or visual disturbance. If your feet/ankles/hands or face are unusually swollen. You experience vaginal bleeding. You have an unusual coloured discharge.
If your baby's head has dropped down into the pelvis to prepare for delivery, they may be less active. Your baby is too small for their movement to be felt regularly. This is common in the second trimester.
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!