Conference moira::parenting_v3

    I carried Eric very low the whole time and never noticed when he 
    dropped.  It seems it's the people who are constantly getting kicked
    in the ribs or who can't breathe because the baby is so high up
    there, that notice relief when the baby drops.  Since he didn't do
    too much damage to my ribs and since I never had trouble breathing,
    I never noticed when he dropped.
    
    At six months along (when my belly was still very small), people who
    had never seen me were saying, "Oh, you've dropped.  You must be
    ready to deliver."   Geez.
    
    So...you may never notice when it happens.
    
    Donna
    

    I also carried low and never really noticed the baby drop.  Towards the
    end there was more pressure on the pelvic area and bladder, but it was
    gradual.  From what I have heard, we are the lucky ones. I can't
    imagine what it would be like to have difficulty breathing or get
    kicked in the ribs often....
    
    Good luck
    
    Mary

    I carried Alexander very low the whole time also, and never noticed
    when he droped until I went into labor and noticed that my belly was a
    little lower than before.  And like you (.0) my belly would hit the
    chair when I sat down.  I also needed my husband to help me out of bed
    in the morning because I was so huge.
    
    So you might not notice when the baby does drop.
    
    
    Good luck.
    
    
    liz

    Well, my wife never noticed with any of the three previous pregnancies.
    And she carried fairly high. With her, it seemed a more gradual thing,
    as the baby moved down. But, like Donna in prev. reply, lots of other
    folks were sure she had at various stages all throughout the pregnancy!
    
    And, if it makes you feel better, at only 24.5 weeks, she is (and has
    been) in the bathroom "constantly". But, this baby is really low, and
    causes her lots of pressure.
    
    --dave--

    Wow, I guess I may never know???  I agree w/.2, we are the "lucky
    ones"!  I have felt GREAT the whole time (except for the 24 hr nausea
    during the first trimester).....even if I do have to "p" all the time,
    I'd rather that than being kicked and punched in the ribs all the time. 
    My husband not only has to help me out of the chair/couch/bed, but he
    has to put-on and take-off my shoes everyday and help me out of the tub
    etc....  I can't even bend over enough to chain the dog outside or take
    the clothes out of the dryer.... But NO complaining here!!  I love
    every minute of it!!!!
    
    Thanks,
    
    Mel :^))

    Gee Mel, I'm 32 weeks too, but I seem to have the opposite problem --
    the baby seems to be growing higher and higher (I'm having that
    suffocating feeling when I lean forwards in an otherwise relaxed
    position). MY question would be whether or not the mother notices,
    when (on the rough average) can one expect to have the baby drop?
    I would think 32 weeks is a bit early, no?
    
    Monica
    (also having big trouble pulling on my boots!)
    

    I definately felt it when Nicole dropped - I had a hard time walking
    for a few days because I was in a lot of pain.  I envy those of you who
    won't know the difference !  She dropped about 6 weeks before she was
    finally born.
    
    -Joy
    

    I'm 33 weeks, and I "wish" that I would drop...  I've been carrying
    this baby really high, and have been jabbed in my right rib so many
    times, it actually is starting to hurt.  I also have the shortness
    of breath without having to do much at all.  I can't remember dropping
    with my other two pregnancies, but then again, I was never carrying 
    this high up.
    
    Good luck to you all!
    
    Janice
    

    If I remember corerctly, when the baby drops you can feel a lot more
    pressure on your cervix, as opposed to your bladder.  When you're
    sitting down, it feels like there's a head down there, almost sitting
    on the seat with you, between your legs.  My kids never really dropped,
    except the first pregnancy when I was expecting twins.  Kristen who was
    first in line to be born would occasionally drop down onto my cervix
    and sit there.  QUITE uncomfortable!  But she would bounce in and out
    of that space.
    

    Your doctor can certainly tell you if the baby has dropped. My baby has
    been engaged since at least 32 weeks. The doctor could feel the head by
    pressing on my tummy. I was carrying low the whole time, so I never
    noticed.

	Then again,your baby may NEVER drop. :-)  

(After 28 hours of labor, Katie was still at a -3 station. I.e. still WAY up 
there.) 

Tracey 

I carried my first child very high, and was very 
short-winded the entire pregnancy, but didn't get any relief 
when she dropped (it happened in February -- a rough time of 
year for me because I am asthmatic).

I didn't realized she'd dropped -- until people at work 
said, "Have you dropped?".  I told them "no!", but two days 
later my OB confirmed it!  I also started to feel pressure 
and minor pain in my pelvis after that.

I'm 24 weeks pregnant with my second, and am carrying the 
same way (high and round) -- I don't know what to expect, 
but have heard that every pregnancy is different (thoughh 
this one seems very much like the first!).

Lesley

    I wonder if my doctor will be checking me to see if the baby has come
    down yet?  I am going on a bi-weekly basis now.  So I suppose he'll
    check soon????
    
    Mel

    Usually the doctor does an internal at 38 weeks or later.... unless
    there are problems, they don't do it before, nor do they do them
    frequently.
    

    I carried JM really low, but I noticed that one morning I could breathe
    more easily and that was about ten days before D-Day.  My OB did not do
    an internal until the week before. 
    
    Have fun and relax - get lots of rest!
    
    Cathy
    

    .13 
    
    The doctors don't need to do an internal to determine whether or
    not the baby has dropped.  They can tell by just pressing your
    tummy.  With my first, the baby was dropped at 32 weeks.  With
    my second, the baby was dropped at 37 weeks.  
    
    Wendy
    
    

    I forgot to mention, I saw this product called "The Prenatal Cradle" in
    a catalog, and I ordered one.  It's sort of like a "belly bra" that's
    geared to help women who are carrying low or have back problems.  I
    am both (low and I have a bad back to begin with).  Anyway, this
    product can be found in the Fortunes Almanac catalog.  I don't have the
    # here with me, but I can get it easily enough if anyone is interested. 
    It really works!  It was invented by a pregnant nurse!  Wouldn't you
    figure, and it's machine washable.
    
    Mel