Im 31 weeks this is my first child is it possible that the baby could have already dropped I've been feeling a lot of pressure down there whenever I walk and many kicks to the ribs what could this be? Is it possible that I could go into labour at 38 weeks

You are right around the time where the baby "drops". You should be able to tell just by looking in the mirror. I know my entire pregnancy, I carried my daughter really high, then one morning I woke up and put on a shirt and noticed it fit different, I looked in the mirror and could tell she dropped.

You baby is just getting in the birthing position. No real worries. Most 1st time moms go to their due date or after... but with my daughter, everyone kept telling me "oh first pregnancies never go early"... but I just had a feeling. My due date was Jan. 11th and I had her at 6am on Dec. 31st. So I had her almost 2 weeks early, and everything was absolutely fine. :)

38 Weeks is not really that early, its still a healthy time frame-My first child was born about 2-3 weeks early. My second child I started having contractions April 1 and he wasn't due until may25 and I ended up having him on June 11th. My third child, in my seventh month, I felt the pressure that you are talking about, couldn't walk 2 blocks without having to urinate or sit down. I actually had him on my due date. So, every pregnancy is different-all of mine certainly were. macksmom is totally right.

Usually when the baby drops you find it easier to breath and can press on the top portion of your stomach and it will feel much softer.
It is completely normal for the baby to drop at this length but does not mean labor approaching.