by Lisa Rodriguez, R.N. and Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.
reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.

As you reach the last few weeks of your pregnancy, you may notice that suddenly it is easier to breathe and there seems to be more space between your breasts and your uterus. This change may occur over the course of a single day or more gradually, over a week or two. Your food may be a little easier to digest and you may notice less heartburn.

This happy state of affairs probably signals that your baby has "dropped," as people often say - that is, he's engaged deep into your pelvis, positioning himself for labor. Also called lightening, engagement may occur for first-time moms days or even weeks before you actually give birth. For women who have had other children, engagement may not occur until you are in labor.

Not all good news

While engagement is often welcomed as a tangible sign that labor and delivery are soon to follow, there is a downside: While your upper abdomen may be more comfortable, many women experience more pelvic pressure as the baby's head rests low in the pelvis. This increased pressure can make walking quite a challenge, and you might find yourself scurrying to the bathroom more often, since there is now more pressure on your bladder.

What you can do to ease any unpleasant symptoms

Unfortunately, there isn't a lot you can do to make yourself more comfortable as this natural process takes place. To ease the pressure, you may try swimming, which also will help keep you active towards the end of pregnancy. Performing pelvic tilts or elevating your hips on a pillow may help as well. Lying down sometimes takes the pressure off your pelvic bones.

Although you may be more uncomfortable now, remind yourself that it is normal for babies to drop towards the end of pregnancy. Even though childbirth may still be a few weeks away, you are one step closer to your ultimate goal of meeting your little one!