Is it normal to get period type pains at 37 weeks

[maryd84]

Hi,

I'm 37+2 and for the last couple of days I've been getting intense period type cramps in my lower abdomen and lower back ache. It comes and goes. It's worse when I'm standing and walking around.

Also a really heavy feeling when I'm walking like the baby is really low down. And feeling like I have to poo every time I go to the loo. TMI

Are these normal pains for this gestation or could it be a sign that labour is near🙂

[thenightsky]

I had that with both mine. I went into labour with both at 38 weeks.

[PastMyBestBeforeDate]

It could well be that things are starting but it could still be a week or more away. At 37 weeks you are considered full term so make sure your bag is ready.

[maryd84]

Oh thank you. Hopefully not too much longer so🙂

[sel2223]

I'm 37+2 and have had the same for the last week or so. I've spoken to a few people and it seems to be fairly normal in the run up to labour but it could still be days or weeks away. I don't think it's a sign of anything happening immediately.

[maryd84]

Yep bags are ready. Sorted out some nice snacks for my bag yesterday🙂

[LuckyC27]

I'm 37 weeks and seem to wake up with period pains every other night, other nights completely fine so strange 🤷🏻‍♀️

[CarlottaValdez]

I had this from about 37 weeks but didn’t go into labour for another 4 weeks! Was so annoying

[Rainbow714]

Im 37+1 and started with period like pains yesterday too. Was wondering if it was the start of things!

[2020AUG]

I'm 37+4 and getting cramps, back ache and pressure low down too. It comes and goes so don't think anything is starting yet but I hope this doesn't go on for weeks on end🤞.

[LynnThese4reSEXPEOPLE]

Regarding snacks - check with the ward if you like peanut based snack - I had to send all of mine home boo hoo, as someone was allergic!

[Wowthisisreal]

My labour started with my water breaking spontaneously at 38 weeks and then period cramps about 3 hours later. Baby was born 4 hours after that!

[mrs87]

I'm getting this at 34+1, for the last week I've had period pains/lower backache every evening and sometimes wake up with them in the night. It doesn't seem like Braxton Hicks as no tightening but it's annoying!

[Saoirse22]

Goodness, I came here to ask this exact question!

I'm 36 weeks and I'm having this kind of pain for the last two days. Not the whole day thankfully, but when it happens, it's pretty terrible. Saturday's pain developed into pain so bad I couldn't stand upright, only do tiny steps while being totally arched. I was on the verge of crying and had to go to bed. I can't really differentiate whether it's all coming from my back, uterus or maybe bowels, everything hurts. There's no tightening, just this massive painful pressure.

I do know for a fact baby is low, I had a scan at 33 weeks and baby was already extremely low. They even had trouble with taking a good look at the head because of how low it was! The midwife told me the baby dropped at 36 weeks appointment last Friday.

I don't know what to make of this, but my bags are ready

[maryd84]

Thanks everyone. Its reassuring to know I'm not the only one experiencing these pains.

Hi @Saoirse22, I feel the exact same with the pain. For a while yesterday evening it was so bad that I couldn't stand up straight. I'm feeling a lot of pressure down low too.

We'll just have to wait and see what happens. Fingers crossed it doesn't go on for weeks. It's good we have our bags packed anyway 🙂