Baby drops lower as your body preps for labor

What to expect

Your baby is polishing skills this week. They’re practicing breathing (amniotic fluid, not air), blinking, and even sucking their thumb. Their grip is surprisingly strong, you’ll feel it when they clasp your finger soon.

That leek-sized body is mostly done growing, but they’re still gaining about half an ounce a day. Most of it’s fat, smoothing out wrinkles and plumping up cheeks for maximum squishability. Vernix, that waxy coating, is mostly gone now, swallowed by baby to become their first sticky poop.

Your body is prepping too

Your pelvic joints are looser than ever, thanks to the hormone relaxin. Waddling is normal. So is feeling like the baby might fall out when you walk (they won’t). Bonus: heartburn might ease as the baby sinks lower, trading rib kicks for bladder headbutts.

• Sleep? Ha. Between bathroom trips and practice contractions, solid rest is rare. Side sleeping with a pillow between your knees helps.
• Random bursts of energy. Nesting instinct peaks, follow the urge to organize onesies, but save marathon freezer-meal prep for earlier weeks.
• Emotional swings. Crying at cat food commercials? Normal. Your hormones are priming for labor and breastfeeding.

Things to be aware of

Braxton Hicks contractions might be intense now. These ‘practice’ tightenings help prep your uterus for labor. Unlike real contractions, they’ll ease if you change positions or hydrate. If they start coming at regular intervals (try timing them), it could be go-time.

Lightning crotch is startling but normal. Sharp zings in your pelvis happen as the baby’s head presses on nerves. Leaning forward or rocking on a birth ball can ease the pressure. Mention it if it’s constant, rarely, it signals a misaligned baby.

• Swelling. Sudden puffy hands/face or a headache? Call your provider, it could signal preeclampsia.
• Mucus plug. Losing a glob of sticky discharge (clear, pink, or slightly bloody) means your cervix is changing. Labor could start soon… or in weeks.
• Non-stop nesting. That urge to scrub baseboards at 2 AM? Normal, but don’t overdo it, you’ll need your energy.

What might happen

Your provider will check your cervix at appointments now, but don’t fixate on dilation. Some walk around at 3 cm for weeks; others go from 0 to baby in hours. More telling: if baby has ‘dropped’ (you’re breathing easier but peeing constantly).

You might get offered a membrane sweep. Around now, some providers suggest gently separating the amniotic sac from the cervix to nudge labor along. It can cause cramping and spotting, and doesn’t always work. You can say no.

• Group B strep results. If your test was positive, you’ll get antibiotics during labor to protect the baby.
• Final ultrasound. Some providers do a last growth scan this week if there are concerns about size or fluid.

Labor is the only blind date where you know you’ll meet the love of your life.