Are these contractions, or is my body just warming up to labour?

[marthamay]

Hello,

First timer here and it's really hard to know what contractions feel like. I am currently 36+2 and pretty huge but baby is not yet engaged. For the past two weeks I have been having some really strange sensations - it is like someone is squeezing really hard, or pulling a rubber band tight right down low in my cervix. It's not like braxton hicks when my whole bump goes all tight, it's really low down. It's not really 'painful', but it does stop me in my tracks and I have to catch my breath. I usually get about 3 - 10 in a row and then it just stops...I have had them nearly every day for the past two weeks.
Obviously they are not labour contractions, but does anyone know what they might be?
Maybe it's my babies head pushing down? Maybe it's my cervix changing shape????
Any ideas or similar experiences?

Thanks!!!!

[Kathyjelly]

Hello. Are you still ok?

I'm not sure I know what they are. People vary but my labour starting felt like someone was taking hold of my insides, about level with my belly button and squeezing. To begin with it was very gentle and ramped up over the course of about 4 days They started at about hourly intervals and gradually increased in frequency.

If I were you, I'd put your bag in the car, make sure your dh keeps below the drink drive limit and then forget about it until it's obvious one way or the other.

How exciting. Good luck.

[marthamay]

Thanks for the reply KATHYJELLY,

I'm ok!

I guess I'm just not sure because it's a really wierd and new sort of feeling...

Is it possible for your body to takes weeks to build up to labour?????

Hospital bag to be packed and ready by tomorrow!!!!!