37 weeks pregnant, belly feels heavy

When a pregnant woman is 37 weeks pregnant, she is already full-term and has reached the conditions for delivery. If she reaches the due date, she can prepare for delivery. Most women have very large stomachs at this time. They often feel their stomachs falling and often find false labor. So what should you do if you feel a falling sensation in your stomach at 37 weeks pregnant?

36 weeks of pregnancy is not considered full-term. It is only from 37 weeks of pregnancy that it can be considered full-term. If you feel your stomach dropping, it may be because the fetus has entered the pelvis. In the late pregnancy, the fetal head will slowly descend until it enters the pelvis in preparation for delivery. The feeling of entering the pelvis varies from person to person. Some people feel nothing, while others feel a tightening of the lower abdomen and a feeling of falling. Also, because the bladder is compressed after entering the pelvis, the mother may feel that the urinary frequency or constipation has worsened.

Counting fetal movements to detect fetal abnormalities

In the late pregnancy, the uterus becomes larger and larger, and the fetus's movement space is greatly restricted, so the fetal movement will become less and less. Therefore, mothers should count the fetal movements every day. It is normal if the fetus moves at least 3 times within 1 hour. If the fetal movement is less than 3 times within 1 hour and less than 10 times within 12 hours, be alert to fetal hypoxia. However, if the fetal movement is more than 3 times within an hour and is particularly frequent, then you should also pay attention to the possible condition of the fetus.

Signs of labor

Signs of labor are spotting, water breaking, and uterine contractions. Irregular and sporadic false labor contractions often occur in late pregnancy. Real uterine contractions are regular and the intervals between them are the same. As the contractions become more and more frequent, the cervix will slowly open. Spotting is a small amount of red or pink fluid, and delivery usually occurs 48 hours after spotting. If your water breaks in late pregnancy, you need to lie down, prop up with pillows, and seek medical attention immediately.

Why does the feeling of falling occur?

In the late pregnancy, the uterus is already very large, pushing the internal organs aside. When the pregnant mother walks and moves, she often feels pressure on the body and the uterine ligaments are pulled. A sinking sensation is normal if there are no other symptoms. But if you have persistent abdominal pain or bleeding, you should go to the hospital for a check-up immediately.

Sometimes the strong feeling of falling is caused by the fetus entering the pelvis, and the pregnant mother can feel the fetus slowly sliding into the pelvis.

How to judge the pelvic floor

Engagement is an important preparation for the fetus for delivery. Normally, the fetus enters the mother's pelvic cavity in a head-down position. The fetus usually begins to enter the pelvis after 38 weeks. It is worth noting that the fetus entering the pelvis does not mean that delivery will occur immediately. The fetus will enter the pelvis relatively earlier for first-time mothers, and some pregnant mothers will enter the pelvis a few days before delivery, so the time when the fetus enters the pelvis varies from person to person.