This site has some good info. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/signs-of-labor/PR00083
Here's what would specifically interest you.
Lightening: Adjusting the pressure
One of the first signs of labor may be a sensation that the baby is settling deeper into your pelvis. This is known as lightening.
The baby's new position may give your lungs more room to expand, making it easier to breathe. On the flip side, you may experience pelvic discomfort, and increased pressure on your bladder may send you to the bathroom more often.
For a first pregnancy, lightening may occur weeks or days before labor begins. For subsequent pregnancies, it may not happen ahead of time. For some women, the changes are obvious. Others may not notice a thing.
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kid, I wrote back,
all lovers betray.