Constant period pain- not in waves- did anyone else's labour start like this?

[Minkus]

I am 39+3 and since a false labour at 36 weeks (I got to 3cm and then it all stopped) I have been having period pains on and off each day. Today however they are constant and more painful than before- and I'm wondering if this is the start of actual labour.

I know really the only way to find out is to wait and see but like most women close to term I am impatient now!

Did anyone else find their labour started with period pains that didn't come in waves like you'd expect labour to feel like (and it certainly did with ds1!)?

oh minkus! I have no ideas but keep us on July antenatal posted!

My labour started with big period type pains- lasting about 5-15 mins at a time, with 30 mins between, then got more frequent...

I was just about to start a thread saying exactly the same thing!! I'm 38+2 and have been having near constant period / bowel pains too. It's very distracting!!!

Each of my 3 labours has started with period type cramps. With my second I had a constant stitch/cramp overnight. Went into hospital the next morning as I thought my waters might have broken and I was 5cm dilated although I hadn't had any contractions. Good luck.

My labour started with what felt like period pain, not in waves, just a constant dull ache, gradually getting more uncomfortable until I found myself kneeling by the bed to relieve the ache and finally twigged that this was probably labour (doh)!

thanks everyone for replies, it was indeed labour my lovely ds2 arrived 5 hrs after the original post

Ah congratulations Minkus - that's lovely to hear!