Early labour pains, can they be constant?

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

Im almost 38 weeks pregnant and over the past 2 days have been getting niggling pains. They are now constant, like bloody awful period pains in my lower belly and in my back.
This is DC2 and I cant for the life of me remember how it felt!
Was just wondering if I should be mentally preparing myself for imminant arrival!!

When you say constant what do you mean?

Thanks for your reply I ended up going in the bath and having an early night!
The period like pains werent going away as would normal contractions. Its eased off overnight, so hopefully I have a bit more time!

I had period-type pains throughout the night (wed night) 2 days before ds born (fri morning). Let us know what happens!