37+6 - lots of new feelings but don't want to get my hopes up!

[Tonithetiger]

Hi all, I'm 38 weeks tomorrow and I've noticed loads of changes over the past few days. I am fully geared up to meet my little girl but I also know I might be overthinking and nowhere near labour. This is my first!
Saw midwife last weds who said baby is fully engaged and in the perfect position. I literally feel like I have a bowling ball between my legs all the time and the lightning crotch pains are almost all the time now. I've had some new back ache and lower belly period type pains on and off since Thursday but nothing regular. Last night and today I feel really sick and exhausted but I can't sleep! I know this stage could go on a while but I do just feel really different all of a sudden. Just a waiting game I guess, but does any of this sound like it could be the real deal?

Possibly... babies can fully engage and then dip out again as and when they fancy! I had the very heavy feeling for a few weeks before I gave birth.

I am 38 weeks today and feel pretty much exactly as you describe! I have less of the bowling ball feeling as I am tall and my bump isn’t huge. But it is dragging down below and I have an on off period pain type feeling and occasional round ligament twinges. Some lightening crotch and baby has definitely dropped. In the past two or three days I feel very different. My belly is tender and on and off m6 back aches. Are you drinking raspberry leaf tea? I’m having four cups a day now and 6 dates a day... hoping that helps things along. Good luck op.

@LittleTiger007
I've had the tea on and off but I can't say I've been drinking it religiously. I think I could have lost a bit of my plug today? It was snotty 😅.
Last night I was super crampy like lots of period feelings with a few more intense tightenings but today it's just been bad bad back ache. I'm hoping these are all signs things are moving in the right direction. Just want to meet my little girl! Goes and makes a cup of raspberry leaf tea