Cramps but not contractions 38wks

[Josie9998]

Hi it's currently 5am and I am 38 weeks+1 with first baby and I have been up all night with cramps in my stomach (not contractions) I dont think, and have had severe nausea and diarrhoea ( sorry for the info) it is causing a lot of discomfort and I have lower back pain also, I dont want to ring the materntiy ward as I am always sent away feeling silly, is this a sign of labour ? So stuck

It could be. My labour started feeling like bad period cramps. How far apart are they?
And never put off calling for help/ advice so you don't feel silly, that's what they are there for.
Have you got your hospital bag ready?

I would have a cramp that would last a few minutes then disappear for about 15 minutes then come back, but they arent overly painful and doesnt feel like period cramps it's just a sudden cramp in the stomach, also feeling alot of movement more than usual, yeah hospital bag is all packed

Keep timing them, it sounds like it could be the start.

I'd perhaps give the ward a ring as any change in movement pattern should be looked at.

In the early stages (actually, up to about 5 or 6cm dilated) my contractions never felt worse than bad period cramps - definitely start timing them. Do you have a contraction timer app on your phone? And I agree with PP, maybe call your maternity triage about the increased movement? It's probably all fine but no harm calling, and they'll be able to give you some advice if this is the start of your labour. Good luck!

Have you ever had a UTI? Are the cramps like that? As they feel exactly the same as labour cramps if that helps. I had cramps with my first and didn't realise it was labour but I was in so much pain I headed to the hospital anyway after a few hours. Plus your body normally has a clear out at the start of labour.