What is Lightening in Pregnancy? Signs, Symptoms, and What to Expect

You’ve already learned what a babymoon is, dealt with the cravings, and now you’re just waiting for that first sign of labor. In movies and pop culture, having your water break (or having those first true labor contractions) seems to be the hallmark way your body declares, “Baby incoming!” But there are other signs and shifts you might notice as a pregnant person, including the phenomenon of lightening.

What is lightening in pregnancy?

Lightening, also called “baby dropping” (or simply “dropping”) is a late pregnancy occurrence that signals you’re nearing your baby’s delivery. During lightening, a fetus shifts its position in-utero, descending lower into the uterus and closer to the birth canal.

Lightening is a totally natural occurrence, but it can still be tricky to determine how close labor actually is when it happens. If you’re an expecting parent—especially a first-time parent—understanding what lightening is and what to expect when it happens can help you prepare and plan for a smoother delivery.

What Is Lightening or “Pregnancy Dropping”?

Here are the main biological reasons why lightening occurs:

• It puts the fetus in a better position (usually head-down) for birthing
• It lets the mother know labor is approaching

When Does Lightening Happen?

A common assumption to make about lightening is that it indicates labor is imminent—not always so! In some cases, lightening can settle in just a few hours before labor begins. More typically, though, it occurs in those last few weeks (typically, two to four) before your baby actually gets a move on.

There is one caveat—if you’ve never been through a pregnancy before, you may experience lightening well before your baby’s due date…which can understandably feel scary for first-time parents!

Just remember, there’s no need to panic. Not only does lightening help to facilitate a smoother birth, but, more often than not, you’ll have plenty of time to mentally prepare before it’s time to deliver. While you await the arrival of your little one, it’s a great opportunity to learn about various baby care strategies, including the Ferber method for naps.

What Does Lightening Feel Like In Pregnancy?

In the final trimester, babies can weigh roughly 7.5 lbs. With that kind of cargo, it makes sense that so many parents-to-be have strong sensations of their baby’s “drop.”

In fact, the term “lightening” stems from the physical sensation it often causes in pregnant people: a mild feeling of buoyancy as their fetus moves away from the diaphragm, resulting in easier breathing. Additionally, if you’ve struggled with GERD or acid reflux in pregnancy, you may notice a relief in these symptoms.

Many people also observe:

• Heightened pelvic pressure, due to the baby’s shift closer to the birth canal (sometimes called lightening crotch)
• More “waddling” (as opposed to walking), due to increased pressure on the lumbar spine
• Feeling the need to pee more frequently, due to added pressure on the bladder and urinary organs
• Lower back pain or sciatica, due to added weight on the pelvis and lower back
• Higher-than-average amounts of discharge, a result of cervical dilation and relaxation in preparation for labor

Some parents also notice their belly looks different: their fundal height appears smaller than before. But like other pregnancy experiences, yours is bound to be unique. You may see most of these lightening symptoms or none at all!

What If I Don’t Feel Lightening?

Lightening can be a clear early sign that a birth is (eventually) coming, but it’s not a universal pregnancy experience. In other words, there’s no need to worry if you’re approaching your due date and haven’t noticed your baby drop yet.

People may be more or less likely to experience lightening depending on:

• Pregnancy history – If this isn’t your first pregnancy, you may not feel your baby drop, or they could settle in soon before labor. This could be due to your physiology—your muscles and tissues have gone through labor before, so they may need less preparation in advance of birth.
• Physiological differences –You may have noticed it already, but different people assume different physiques during pregnancy. Some people carry high, while others carry low. These traits can also vary throughout a single pregnancy.

Likewise, your unique physiology impacts how (and whether) you experience lightening. Some people feel a dramatic sensation; others feel a mild change. So long as your OBGYN gives you the thumbs up, there’s no need to worry if you don’t feel it at all!

• The baby’s position – It’s more common to feel lightening happen if your baby is in the breech (head up) or transverse position. If it’s already head-down, you may not feel a big change. That said, if you’ve been carrying low your whole pregnancy, baby dropping might not feel as perceptible.

It’s important to note that while the terminology of “baby dropping” can sound acute (“New baby—just dropped!”) the lived experience is usually gradual. To ease the transition, it can help to incorporate some mild forms or exercise like walking, gentle squats, or pelvic opening exercises.

What to Do When You’re Lightening

Whether you’re nervous about going into labor or anxiously waiting for your due date, feeling your baby drop can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. To help prepare mentally and physically for early labor, consider the following tips:

Let Your OBGYN Know

If you notice lightening, it’s important to tell your healthcare provider(s). Keeping your OBGYN in the loop will ensure they can run any tests they deem necessary for your unique pregnancy as you approach labor. In some cases, your provider may want to monitor you and your baby more closely until they arrive.

Additionally, letting your care team know about your baby’s drop may help give you some more information about how close you are to labor. Some people begin to dilate fairly soon after lightening; others have a longer wait before labor kicks in. Either way, you’ll have more information so you can feel better prepared leading up to birth.

Take Some Time Out to Rest

While “lightening” can provide some relief in the breathing department, lots of people feel more discomfort around their pelvis and back. With that, don’t be surprised if you need to give yourself a bit more grace—you deserve to prop your feet up and rest.

If you’re dealing with discomfort in late-pregnancy sleeping, switching up your sleeping position may help alleviate the added pressure to your lower back. You might try:

• Sleeping on your side, with a pillow placed between your legs
• Sleeping on your back with a pillow propped beneath your knees

Keep Up Your Hydration Levels

Maintaining adequate hydration is crucial from your first to your third trimester—but it becomes even more important the closer you are to childbirth. If you’ve already been through lightening, you may have noticed even more frequent urination. You’ll want to replenish your fluids by increasing your water intake.

Staying hydrated also helps with:

• Amniotic fluid level upkeep
• Reducing swelling, especially in the feet, ankles, and hands
• Avoiding premature labor or Braxton Hicks contractions (to which dehydration is a main contributor)

If the climate is hot, you may want to drink upwards of the 10 to 12 glasses of water per day recommended for pregnant women.

Tailor Your Exercise Regimen

If you’re a workout enthusiast, you may feel like you have to eliminate exercise entirely once you’ve been through lightening. However, this may not necessarily be the case (although you’ll likely have to edit your normal routine). Reach out to your healthcare provider for a list of suitable activities. Some low-impact options might include:

• Walking
• Stretching
• Prenatal yoga

Exercise may help stimulate labor while relieving swelling, encouraging circulation, and keeping your muscles and tissues limber in preparation for childbirth.

Put the Finishing Touches On Your Birth Plan

Lightening can be seen as one of the many ways your body keeps time in preparation for your due date.

If you haven’t already, this is a wonderful time to finalize your birth plan and start preparing for labor, childbirth, and your postpartum care. This could include:

• Deciding on your preferred labor pain management options
• Identifying the supports you’ll want—people, as well as environmental—to help you through the childbirth process
• Readying your hospital bag and baby gear
• Putting childcare arrangements in place if you have older children
• Babyproofing your home
• Getting your nursery prepped for your new baby’s arrival

Likewise, it’s a beautiful time to start mentally preparing for this major change. Whether you book an extra session with a therapist or take up journaling to jot your thoughts down, just-before-baby is a precious moment where you can connect emotionally with yourself.

Lighten Your Load with The SneakPeek Test®

Even if your baby isn’t dropping for another several months, you can still look forward to their arrival before labor starts with the SneakPeek Early Gender DNA Test®. With this at-home test, expecting parents can learn their baby’s sex as soon as 6 weeks into their pregnancy journey—with over 99% clinically proven accuracy and DNA-based results.

Order your test today to discover why SneakPeek is the #1 OBGYN-recommended at-home early gender test, and was recommended six to one among 100 OBGYNs surveyed.

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At SneakPeek, our commitment is to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable information to empower our readers. Our content is thoroughly researched, reviewed by medical experts, and fact-checked to ensure its credibility. We prioritize the well-being and education of our readers, and our editorial policy adheres to the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in all our articles.

This post has been reviewed for accuracy by:

Haley Milot

Haley Milot, a highly skilled laboratory professional, currently serves as the Associate Director of Lab Operations at Gateway Genomics, the parent company of SneakPeek. Her extensive experience in laboratory management, spanning over seven years with Gateway Genomics, showcases her expertise in quality assurance, quality control, and the development of laboratory procedures. Haley's background includes pivotal roles in DNA extraction and purification, real-time qPCR, and specimen accessioning, underscoring her comprehensive understanding of laboratory operations and diagnostics. Her adeptness in managing complex laboratory functions and her deep knowledge of medical diagnostics make her a vital contributor to SneakPeek's innovative approach to prenatal testing.

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