What is Lightening?

Filed in archive Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms , Third Trimester on March 17, 2008

Towards the end of your pregnancy, you may feel that your baby has descended a bit down to your pelvis, allowing you to breathe easier, or eat more comfortably. On the other hand, you might find it more difficult to walk and needing more trips to the bathroom, as the pressure on your bladder increases.

Such shift is called lightening, or dropping, or engagement. In some women, this may be an indication of labor, as the baby positions itself for birth. For others, however, particularly for first time moms, labor may not occur until after weeks or days after lightening. And still with some, lightening does not occur at all until a few hours before birth.

Is it something to worry about? Nah, it's an indication that things are progressing towards birth. You'll have your your bundle of joy not long from now!