contractions?

[nk1605]

I'm 40 weeks tomorrow and had a sweep today. Period type cramps started yesterday and have gotten worse. Dr said I'm 2cm and 60% effaced.

I'm a first timer so no idea what contractions should feel like. The cramps have a peak and then ease off for a bit but still a constant dull ache. are these contractions?

also I lost my mucus plug this morning.

any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Iloveonionchutney]

Sounds like it's starting, contractions weren't what I was expecting at all, I had the pain is the til of my thighs! I think everyone feels it differently. Keep an eye on the timings and good luck

[Splinters]

I had a lot of BH in the last 6 weeks or so of pregnancy, and sure enough my labour did kick off with more of the same -- they gradually got stronger and stronger. Once I was having serious contractions I stopped wondering whether 'this was really it' or not, because there was no mistaking it!

Wishing you a calm birth!

[nk1605]

Thanks both

[seaoflove]

Might be the start of something, yes!

I remember early contractions being difficult to time because they didn't have a definite begin and end point, if that makes sense. As time went on and they got stronger, the constant dull ache feeling disappeared and they were easier to time.

[Allstoppedup]

I was induced so not sure if my contractions were the same as 'natural' start contractions but mine started off like a dull constant back ache and then I started full on contractions every two minutes (no doubt about those!) that was about half an hour after the back ache started.

Good luck! Wishing you a happy, healthy and easy (as possible) labour.