What Does It Feel like to Have a "Lightening"

I agree, I didn't feel anything really, I just noticed being more uncomfortable and shaped a bit differently.

Hey girl! I have a 6 month old daughter. She is my 2nd little girl. I dropped or "lightened" with her, but didn't know it. Everyone was telling me that my belly looked lower and that I had dropped. I didn't think so, but I will tell you that my belly looked slightly smaller. When I went to the doctor he told me that her head was definitely engaged into the birth canal and I was a minus 2. Yes, I had dropped. So, you might feel different, but you might not. I know that you are probably ready for that baby to come out! Good luck and keep truckin those last few miles! God bless you and your little family!

You feel like you can breathe again after not being able to for a couple of months. You might also feel more urge to empty your bladder...like constantly LOL! If you are having heartburn, it might also get better.

You don't always drop prior to labor, sometimes it happens during labor. One thing's for sure, though...the time WILL come, and you will be fine, especially after you meet your little one face-to-face for the first time. Congratulations!

Honestly, I never felt a thing. The only thing I can remember feeling is it was easier to breath on a regular basis toward the end. Of course, if I had been walking, etc. I still huffed and puffed. I had severe swelling and was huge!

I really did not feel or notice the lightening or my baby drop. I had a few people tell me it looked like she was sitting lower but I could not tell. Good luck we just had our first and love every moment it is great.

JJ,
lightening just refers to the baby easing farther down into the pelvis. Many people don't notice the "drop" What they may notice if cued is It is easier to breathe, you are seemingly more hungry or can eat more without as much heartburn, but you have to go to the bathroom hourly. (It seems like every 5 minutes your are like an old cadillac, you can't seem to pass the next station.)

There is no pain involved. If you have had a childbirth class with a good book, refer to the section on lightening
K. @ The Nestingplace

First off, congrats!!! Second, I wouldn't listen to what others say about your beautiful belly. People would come up to me, say I've dropped, and the next one would say, "Oh, you're still high!" (@ 40 weeks). Also, statistically speaking, 80% of first time moms deliver 2 weeks past your due date! I know, I'm sorry, that's something you probably didn't want to hear! Baby boy will come when he's ready, he might still need to cook a little longer! And no one can truly know the exact time of conception (as you can get pregnant up to 72 hours after having intercourse), so your due date may be +/- 3 days. Congrats again, and he'll be here sooner than you realize it!!

hi unless you are having a c-section you baby will come when he is ready. I have 3 kids .The first was due in the begin of dec and was born on the 27th of Dec. My 2nd son came in Oct 05.. 3 weeks late they wanted to give me something to induce labor when he start come out I was ask not to push , But He wanted out. And my little girl was due in may and she came in june 10 . When your baby is ready they will come. Then is when you need to worry. Good luck . They are a gift from God And we only have them for what feel like little time, then grow up.

I didn't feel it actually happening. I just noticed that one morning I went for a walk and all of a sudden I had that stereotypical pregnant woman waddle. DH thought it was quite funny. I guess that since the weight I was carrying was a little lower in my body, my center of gravity changed. This happened about four days before I went into labor.

When you drop, you will be able to take fuller breaths, heartburn, if you've experienced it, will deminish, and you will have to pee more than you already have. With my first, I did not drop until I was in the begining stages of labor.

Good Luck and Congrats!!!