Birth hormones will give you signs that labor is nearby acting on your intestines. Those same hormones can also make you feel nauseated. You may notice more egg white or pink-tinged vaginal discharge. The consistency of this mucus varies from stringy, to thick and gooey. Some women notice the one-time passing of an obvious mucus plug; others simply notice increased blood-tinged vaginal discharge. Some of the tiny blood vessels in your cervix break as your cervix thins, so you may see anything from a pink to a brownish-red-tinged teaspoonful of bloody mucous.
If your discharge shows more blood than mucus — like a menstrual period or a lot of bright-red blood — report this to your practitioner immediately. Once you notice a bloody show, you are likely to begin labor within three days, but some mothers hang on for another week or two. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. When Does Baby Drop?
Medically Reviewed by Andrei Rebarber, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Back to Top. In This Article. What is "baby dropping"? Continue Reading Below. Baby dropping increases pressure on the cervix.
This causes it to lose the mucus plug that sits at the top of the cervix until the end of pregnancy. It is there to stop bacteria from entering the uterus. When the baby sits lower in the pelvis, its head may put pressure on the bladder.
This may make a woman need to urinate often. Baby dropping may put additional pressure on the muscles in the lower back.
This may cause back pain. When the baby drops, it may reduce pressure on the stomach. This may ease heartburn and increase hunger. If a woman thinks her baby has dropped, she should see the doctor. The doctor can work out what position the baby is in using a fetal stations scale. Some doctors use a three-point scale; others use a five-point scale. The five-point scale is more traditional and more widely used.
A article describes it as a system which divides the pelvis above and below the ischial spines into fifths. The ischial spines are on the pelvis. When the baby drops ready for labor, its head is level with the ischial spines. Each step forward on the scale means the baby is a centimeter closer to being born.
Before the baby drops, a woman may be at station When the baby drops and is engaged a woman may be at station zero. According to a study , 95 percent of women have a station of zero or lower when fully dilated. These activities all help to open the hips and stretch the pelvic muscles. This may encourage the baby to drop down into the pelvis. It is normal to experience some pelvic pain after the baby drops. That said, some types of pelvic pain may need investigating.
Baby dropping typically happens towards the end of pregnancy. It may occur as labor starts, hours before, or sometimes a few weeks before. It is more likely to happen weeks before labor for women who are pregnant for the first time. Baby dropping may feel like a sudden, noticeable movement for some women, while others may not feel it happening. Baby dropping, or lightening, may make it easier to breathe and increase appetite.
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