Is this it...or do I just have an overactive imagination?

[MiniMarmite]

I'm 38 weeks tomorrow and my baby's head was 3 5ths engaged earlier this week at my MW appointment - certainly been feeling it pressing down on my pelvis.

I had quite an active day yesterday and cuddled a new baby this morning (I wasn't trying to bring labour on or anything but they say it can do that)...

Anyway, last night and this morning I've had mild period pain...is it likely that this is early labour? At this stage is it likely that it could go on feeling like this for a couple more weeks or is it more likely to be imminent?

Woke in the middle of the night the last two nights thinking I was having a contraction too but then thought I probably dreamt it!

Looking forward to your wise words

a few weeks of this yet I think! I had pains like this from 36weeks and mine were all past 40weeks!

Agree with JARM. Could go on like this for a few more weeks. Both my babies were engaged at about 36 weeks but both were born after 40 weeks.

Thanks DanJARMouse, that would be kind of good actually as DH still has to finish tiling the bathroom and I would like to be able to have a bath during my labour

Cool, thanks Belgo too!

For me it started as a pain in the back, it could come earlyish though, dd was a week early.

No back pain so far. My Mum says I was a week early (don't know whether that has any bearing on it really) but that was based on LMP dates rather than scan dates and my scan date is 6 days earlier than my LMP date...I'll guess I'll just have to wait and see ...exciting anyway.

I've been having regular period pains & lower back pains from 34 weeks onwards. I'm now 39+4, so it all really depends... period pains can indeed be a sign of labour, or it can just be preparation of the uterus & cervix. The thing to remember is that in either case, it's good that you're having these pains, it means body is preparing for labour. And by the way, 38 or 39 weeks is not really 'early'- it's completely normal to have a baby during weeks 38 or 39 too, as it is in week 40 or even week 41. They do say that with first babies it's more likely to happen around the due date, but it may well be that in your case it happens earlier... who knows.

Good luck! hope all goes well.
M.

Thanks Maria...defintely feels like things are getting ready.

Oops, not expressing myself well again - by early, I meant the beginning rather than pre-term !

Good luck to you as well, can't be too much longer now!