If I am having some mild periody cramps.....

[wasabipeanut]

.......does it mean labour is imminent?

I am only 36 weeks on Monday but head was 3/5 engaged 10 days or so ago at least midwife appt. No show or anything. Dates were confirmed by early scans but I'm massive!

It's my 2nd pg but was induced with DS due to membrane rupture/no onset of labour type sceanrio so I don't know what really happens in spontaneous labour.

I've had a lot of pains of the "knitting needle up fanjo" type variety but thought that was just ligaments twanging. Been getting a lot of Braxton Hicks as well which I never got last time round.

I realise MN doesn't give guarantees but I'm just curious to know if a lot of people started like this?

Im 36 weeks now with dc2 and have been these on and off for a few days.

Bloody annoying because I think its starting then it stops.

My babies head is free though which I think means down but not engaged.

I just went for a long walk around Tesco's! Am getting loads of sharp twinges in my bits now.

I just want this baby out now! I hope it means the start of things for you

OK i am so not an expert but my birth started with mild period type cramps but sure its not a def sign of things happening. i think i read somewhere that second births can grumble on for a while pre birth too? Maybe keep an eye on yourself and perhaps have a relaxing bath or something? I was told (by MN support team) to rest lots and not get too excited.. didn't really work for me being an excitable first timer but thought i would pass it on! Good luck!

All 3 times I've had regular period like cramps and a baby within 24 hours...

I get period cramps but low radiating back ache starts first, then is accompanied by the cramps.

DS1 took his time to kick off over 4 days, DS2 just decided it was time and after having the back ache for an hour went straight into 2 min contractions, DS3 backache and cramps on and off over a week - kept getting excited, was bouncing on the ball like a wild thing trying to get it to pick up only for it to stop as if it had been switched off.

MW told me your uterus is easily 'annoyed' once you've had 'a few' so stopping and starting is common.

After DS3, am not going to get excited when it all starts with this one and probo end up with an unplanned HB!

Thanks everyone - as I suspected it might mean something but then it might not. My instinct is my body is preparing and just needs to relax which is what I've been trying to do. I am also nesting like a crazy woman. DH is being very sweet and looking after DS while I snooze and generally potter arranging things in the nursery. I'm not looking forward to him going back to work on Monday.

mamatomoo Good luck in getting things going. You sound like you are as desperate as I am for this show to be on the road!

I am soooo ready for this baby now! Dd is 18mo and its such hard work.

I have been nesting the last few days as well. I so hope something happens soon.

Dp is also back to work on Monday. Im looking forward to getting my little routine back though.

Hi Wasabi,
I remember with ds getting periody type cramps at about 36 weeks. Convinced something was happening, I rushed home and washed all the baby clothes. After about 2 hours it stopped. Ds was born 3 days before due date after my midwife poked round the head rather harder than maybe necessary. First contractions for me did feel just like period pain.
Everybody's different. I'm now 29 wks with my 2nd and like you getting loads of Braxton Hicks. Sometimes I do get a bit of cramping. I would pay attention if the cramps came at regular intervals, getting closer together. Most of the time I assume it's just the uterus complaining.
Best of luck for the birth. Will keep my fingers crossed for you x

How are you getting on wasabipeanut??

Mine has defo dropped now. I am walking like I have ridden a horse too much, loads of shocks in my bits and a few cramps. Loads of back ache too.

I want this baby out!!!

Hope you are nearly there too.

No, labout won't be imminent - i've been having similar period type pains on and off for the last 2 weeks and I'm still waiting for my labour to start at 39+3.

It could mean anything - they like to confuse you! I'm 37+4 and have been having them for a few days first thing in the morning only. This is dc3 and she has been engaged for the past week. Go figure... Also, I haven't had any Braxtons yet, though with first pg I only had them when I went overdue (and took up very long walks to try and evict ds from where he was obviously too comfy!). He was engaged from early on, as well. Dd1 arrived a week early after lots of Braxtons. You can't predict anything, just be prepared!

I've had this since christmas eve, keep thinking will just nip to the loo as I'm about to come on - er not when you are 39+4!!! Lots of twinges,feels like baby could just fall out I'm so low, lots of BH, head 3/5 engaged but dd was 2 and a half weeks late so would LOVE this baby to come anytime now!!

I'm getting this too, and I'm 35+3, but I am fairly sure that until it becomes painful/regular then it's nothing to worry about.

I had one day last week when the pain lasted about six hours, non-stop, but then went away late in the evening. Baby has been moving lots, so I haven't been too worried.

I also (naive first-timer) get lots of what feels like the baby doing a jig on my cervix and like what I imagine it feels like just before waters break (a not unpleasant feeling like I am about to go for a pee, but obviously in a different place!)

'knitting needle pain' is likely ligaments, as you say, or baby bouncing up and down, or a trapped nerve. I had that for about 3-4weeks before baby arrived. Same with period pain alas! I had that on and off for a few weeks, then actually, just before baby arrived (late, sorry), i had NO symptoms of imminent delivery, to the point i was very annoyed/upset that i would have to be induced (avoided it luckily).

The problem with all the signs is, although they are signs, they are also something else, and some of the signs do not happen. This time, I did not lose my plug, or have broken waters until right near the end (waters were broken for me 19 mins before DS was born, 5wks ago, and plug went about 10 mins before that, with DD, have no idea when plug went, but waters went first thing, 18 hours before birth).