Worried on cusp of labour?

[Udetuq]

I’m getting mildly painful vaginal cramps every twenty mins. It’s been happening for the last week and while frequency is no more, the pain feels a bit more intense. I’m anxious as far from hospital and home alone this coming week, due officially in 1.5 weeks

So you're 38 weeks and a few days? It's totally normal for labour to start at this time. You're considered term at 37 weeks.

If this is first baby this could go on for days, you might niggle for a bit and then it disappears completely, or this could be the start of full on labour.

You'll have to make yourself a plan for getting to hospital safely if this is labour starting.

Best wishes

I’m so worried. It feels like they’re lower down and moving and then it’s briefly painful, this has got progressively worse in the last week but it’s not bad pain if that makes sense.

If you can feel baby moving, you aren't bleeding or leaking amniotic fluid then all is ok. Normal part of early labour which can last days. Have a warm bath and try to rest. If you are very concerned, call your midwife in the morning. Good luck!

Sorry OP, just read that you're far from the hospital. Maybe having a midwife check if you're dilating is an idea?

Would you be able to get to hospital if you needed to? It could be the start of labour or it could be baby getting properly engaged and pressing on nerves in your cervix but you can call the labour ward for advice any time and it sounds like you'd feel less anxious if you spoke to them

Agree, calling the labour ward is a good idea.

All the best OP!