Lightning can occur in any month, as it is a naturally occurring phenomenon powered by atmospheric electricity. Lightning is most common in the summer months of June, July and August, especially in the afternoon hours when atmospheric conditions are often ripe for thunderstorms.
Along with the hot and humid conditions, these months also see frequent thunderstorms, which can lead to lightning. However, as lightning happens naturally, it can also occur in any month given the right weather conditions.
In the northern hemisphere, for example, lightning is more common in the summer months, whereas in the southern hemisphere, lightning is more frequent in the winter months.
How can you tell if your baby is lightening?
As your baby “drops” further into the pelvis and gets further engaged in the birth canal, you may start to feel different sensations. You may feel the baby lower in your abdomen, the amount of pressure in your pelvis may increase, you may find it easier to breathe and may even pass a bit of urine each time you laugh or sneeze!
Additionally, as the baby moves lower, you may start to look more pregnant with a more visible baby bump, and you might even start to walk differently as your body begins to adjust to the shifting weight.
Lastly, your doctor can measure your baby’s progress during regular check-ups to determine if your baby is lightening.
What are the signs of lightening?
Signs of lightning can include a sudden increase in wind speed, a loud crack of thunder, the sky darkening, and an electrical charge in the air. In the northern hemisphere, lightning typically occurs in the south to southwest direction.
People may observe a flash of light or a bright white or blue-green color. Also, if the lightning is close, there may be an accompanying sound such as a rumbling, humming, or buzzing noise. Additionally, dust and debris may be kicked up as the lightning triggers an air-pressure wave.
Some people can also sense a metallic taste in their mouths during a storm.
When do babies start lightening?
The timing of lightening varies from baby to baby. Lightening can start anywhere from two weeks to two months prior to labor. During this period of lightening, the baby descends deeper into the mother’s pelvis, allowing the mother to take deeper breaths and become more comfortable.
It is generally believed that lightening occurs due to the baby’s head and buttocks dropping into the pelvic cavity and its body shifting more into an upright position in the pelvis. As a result, the abdominal organs are no longer as compressed and the mother is often able to inhale more deeply and have less pressure on her bladder.
Lightening also makes it easier for the baby to move itself into the optimal birthing position. During the lightening phase, the uterus is still creating contractions and the baby’s head is beginning to flex to push itself through the cervix.
What does lightening feel like before labor?
Lightening before labor can vary from person to person and pregnancy to pregnancy, but generally it is described as a sensation of pressure in the lower abdomen and/or pelvis. The sensation can range from feeling like a tightness, heaviness, or mild to severe discomfort.
Often, lightening before labor is accompanied by an increase in regular contractions, along with a decrease in abdominal size. As the uterus drops lower in the abdomen, it often leads to more frequent and/or intense Braxton Hicks contractions, which help to prepare the body for active labor.
Along with increased contractions and pressure, some women may experience additional changes like increased vaginal discharge and increased lower back pain. Lightening before labor is an important sign of labor’s process and can be accompanied by other pre-labor signs like increased energy, labor-like cramps, and the passing of the mucus plug.
What are 3 signs that labor is approaching?
Labor is an exciting time for expecting parents, and can bring many signs and symptoms as the body readies for birth. Here are three common signs that labor may be approaching:
1. Braxton Hicks Contractions: As the baby grows, the uterus will periodically contract in order to prepare for labor. These contractions are known as Braxton Hicks contractions, and can feel like your stomach is tightening and releasing.
Like true labor contractions, Braxton Hicks may become more intense and frequent as delivery approaches.
2. Lightening: As the baby drops into the pelvis, it may also cause a sensation that many describe as “lightening”. This can make the abdomen feel different, and make it much easier to breathe.
3. Water Breaking: Water breaking (rupture of the amniotic sac) is the most obvious sign that labor has begun. Some women may experience a rush of fluid and others may just feel a trickle. If you suspect that your water has broken, it’s important to call your health care provider right away.
How close to labor does lightening happen?
Lightning can occur as close as 500 feet to labor. Lightning is a natural phenomenon and is created when a charge builds up in the clouds and is then discharged in the form of electrical current. This electrical current is powerful enough to travel over 25 miles through the atmosphere, meaning it can reach extremely close to the ground.
In fact, according to the National Weather Service, lightning can reach close to the ground to a point of 600 feet (182 meters). Of course, this heavily depends on the specific weather conditions at a particular moment, but in general lightning can be seen or heard as close as 500 feet from the ground.
What week will baby drop?
This is a difficult question to answer because it varies depending on the baby and the mother. When a baby is ready to drop, known as lightening or engagement, it is usually around the 36th week of pregnancy.
This can vary, however, and some babies drop earlier, while others don’t drop until closer to the due date.
There are a couple of signs that a baby has dropped. One of the most common signs is that the woman starts to feel relief from the pressure of the baby on their rib cage and diaphragm, as the baby moves lower in the pelvis.
This can also be accompanied by a feeling of increased pressure in the pelvis, as well as the feeling that one is carrying the baby lower in the belly.
Other signs that the baby has dropped may include a change in the shape of the mother’s belly to be more round, rather than pointy, as the baby moves lower in the uterus. In addition, the mother may experience more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions, as well as the pelvic area becoming softer and more pliable in preparation for delivery.
When a baby has dropped, it is generally a sign that the baby is getting ready for birth. As such, it is important to speak to the doctor or midwife if you think your baby has dropped, or if you are concerned.
Do babies get lighter or darker after birth?
Babies typically get a bit lighter in color after birth due to the loss of some extra fluid that has built up during the gestation period. This usually occurs in the first few weeks after birth and the color change is more pronounced in babies who were born prematurely.
However, as the baby begins to gain weight, they will typically become darker again as the weeks progress. Additionally, some babies may become lighter in color, but this is less common and could be due to a number of factors.
For instance, if the baby was born very prematurely and has experienced poor nutrition, their skin may not be able to produce the same amount of pigment as a baby born at full-term. This can also be more common in certain ethnicities, due to genetic factors.
If you are concerned about your baby’s color, it is best to consult with your pediatrician who can provide more information and advice.
When do babies know the difference between light and dark?
Most babies begin to recognize the difference between light and dark after they are a few months old. Around this time they start to display more alertness when a light is turned on and become calmer and start to relax when the light is switch off.
By four to five months old, most babies have acquired the ability to distinguish between light and dark. They will usually become more alert, stare at an object, or grab at an object when the light is on and talk or make different noises.
When the light is switched off, babies will usually become calm or sleepy since their eyes are less stimulated by the absence of light.
Can the baby drop at 35 weeks?
Yes, it is possible for a baby to drop at 35 weeks, although it is more common for the baby to move lower into the pelvis in the weeks preceding labor (usually between weeks 36-37). This process is called “lightening,” and although it can signify that the birth of the baby is getting closer, it can also happen weeks before labor begins.
During the weeks leading up to labor, some women may notice that their baby has dropped into the pelvis. This can make it easier to breathe and walk. A woman may also notice increased pressure in her pelvis and an increased need to urinate.
Generally, if the baby drops at or before 35 weeks, she may feel more pressure and discomfort, as the baby is not yet fully developed, and the ligaments that should normally support the baby are still quite soft.
While it is not uncommon for a baby to drop at 35 weeks, it is important to discuss the possibility of preterm birth with a doctor.
What is the earliest a baby has dropped?
The earliest a baby has dropped is around the 32nd week of the pregnancy. Babies typically drop by the 36th week. Dropping is a term used to describe a baby who has moved down lower in the pelvis in preparation for delivery.
The baby may have dropped due to the extra pressure on the cervix as the uterus expands to accommodate the growing baby. A baby dropping can also create more space for the lungs and make it easier for the baby to breathe, as well as make more room for the birth canal.
As the baby drops, women usually notice a difference in their body, including less pressure and discomfort in the upper body area and more pressure in the pelvic area. This can also change the shape of the belly.
Do babies move a lot when they drop?
Yes, babies can move a lot when they drop. Depending on the age of the baby, they may move their arms and legs as they fall, or even try to catch themselves with their hands. However, most movement seen by a baby during a fall is reflexive.
This means that even though the baby may appear to be trying to catch themselves or move in a certain way, it is actually their innate reflexes kicking in to protect them from injury. In any case, it is important to be mindful of any baby or toddler around floor or table edges.
Babies are particularly vulnerable to injuries from falls as their bones are still developing, and the consequences could be severe. For this reason, it is important to protect babies from tripping or falling by minimizing any possible hazards in the environment.
How do you know if you’re dilating without checking?
It can be difficult to know if you’re dilating without checking. However, there are some signs that you may be beginning to dilate or progressing in your labor. Some indications of labor starting include having a “bloody show,” a feeling of increased pressure or pressure in the rectum, back pain, increased and/or more intense contractions, your water breaking, and the passing of the mucus plug.
Your doctor or midwife may also be able to tell if you’re dilating by examining the cervix. Additionally, you may notice an increase in pelvic pressure that can sometimes feel like you are passing a kidney stone.
It can also feel like a cramping pain in the lower back and pelvic area that gets particularly intense during contractions.
What week do you start dilating?
Dilation or cervical opening can generally occur from weeks 38-42 of pregnancy and is a normal and expected part of the end of pregnancy. Every woman is different and how your body prepares for labor will differ from other women.
Your body generally begins preparing for labor at 37 weeks, when the “transition” to labor begins. Signs of labor beginning may include loosing mucous plug, lightening, or an increase in Braxton Hicks / “practice” contractions.
During this time your cervix will begin to soften and thin, known as cervical effacement, in preparation for baby to pass through. Cervical dilation is a sign that the cervix has opened and can generally begin at any time during the transition to labor.
However, dilation generally occurs toward the end of pregnancy and it is completely normal if your cervix is still closed and thick (not dilated) at 38 weeks. Your care provider can assess your cervix at any prenatal visit to evaluate progress (including cervical dilation).
It is important to remember that every body is different, and dilation can happen days to weeks before your due date.