Lightening
Lightening happens when your baby settles deeper into your pelvis in the weeks before birth. You may notice you can breathe more easily because the baby is no longer pressing up against your diaphragm, though you may feel more pressure on your bladder and need to urinate more often. For first-time mothers, lightening often occurs two to four weeks before labor begins. For women who have given birth before, it may not happen until labor actually starts. Not every mother feels a noticeable difference, and lightening alone does not mean labor is imminent.
What This Means for You
Understanding Lightening is an important part of your late pregnancy journey. When preparing for birth, understanding this term helps you discuss your birth preferences with your midwife or OB-GYN and know what to expect in the delivery room.
Explore our Birth & Labour guideGood to Know
Doctors at KKH and NUH do not use lightening as a reliable sign of when labor will begin, so do not cancel plans or rush to the hospital based on this feeling alone.
Related Terms
Source: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/glossary-of-pregnancy-and-labour
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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