Period like cramping - 39 weeks could this be it ??

[nicannie]

I've been awake for 45 mins - trying to sleep through the cramps but not happening!

The cramps are coming quite regularly, feels like a sudden rush to run to the toilet for a number two, followed by tingling sensations down in grown area and thighs. I'm 39w today, baby was 4/5 engaged yesterday at midwife appointment. Trying not to get myself excited, but wondered could this be the start of labour ?? 🤞🏽

Definitely sounds like something is happening! I had the tingly leg cramps in early labour and the needing to poo feeling.
I would start timing them & eat something before it all kicks off properly
Good luck

Just realised when this was posted - I hope it's all happening for you now!

Sounds like it! I had cramps like a was going to have the runs about every 10/15 mins.

She was born a speedy 18 hours later 🤣

Sorry for going silent! I ended up managed to get some more sleep after about 2 hours. I've been waking up and sleeping since then but cramps are still there, I'm just trying to rest up as much as I can in case it really is the start. They do seem a little more intense than they were at 1.30am this morning and we are quite a few hours on.

Not sure if it is just a stomach type bug feeling I'm having or it is the starts of the contractions ? Or maybe it's just false ones ? I'm so unsure. But the cramping is still happening so fingers crossed. I might have a bath soon and make myself something to eat etc and see how the day progresses xx

OP it's fairly common to empty your bowels a bit in the early stages, so that might be why it feels like a tummy bug. Good luck!

Oh yesI would say, I thought I had back ache until DD turned up 7 hours later & 2 weeks early

Thanks @severalboxes I actually ended up emptying my vowels last night at 2am when the cramping first occurred as I did think that's all it was! I had also already had around 2 bowel movements earlier on the evening as well so could all be a good sign xx

I meant bowels not vowels of course haha !

Sounds like it! That's how mine started at 4am and went to hospital the following day at 1.30am!

Ohhh exciting

I woke at around 4.30am with period pain type cramping. Figured it was pretty regular and had several bowel movements, managed a few hours more sleep after taking some paracetamol. Woke about 9 and I knew it was definitely happening. I gave birth at 6.34 that evening.

@Katiec89 did yours just progressively get closer together and more intense? I worry that Cos it feels so slow moving that nothing is really happening and it's all just playing on my mind. Just trying to stay as relaxed as I can as I'm not in any type of pain, just discomfort as they come and go

Wow @sunshineANDsweetpeas that is pretty quick and sounds like it all went smoothly as well. Here's hoping for me! I'll see how they progress as the day goes on

That sounds like mine with my first. Cramping in the early hours. Went into hospital at 7am. Gave birth at midday. Good luck.

Thanks @daisypond - no idea when to phone the hospital or sort of be prepared. I read this could last hours/days or move pretty quickly!

I'd phone your midwife now and let her know what's happening..., she'll advise you on what to do. Mine kept popping round to check up on me before telling me when to go into hospital.

@sunshineANDsweetpeas I just don't want to phone for a false alarm. I've got out of bed and went for a bath, and feel like the cramps have subsided which seems mad but maybe it was all fake contractions and cramps!

I'm feeling exactly the same way as you today OP!! So hard to know when to ring isn't it, don't want to set the ball rolling for it then to be really early labour and nothing happen for days!! Such a strange feeling isn't it. Fingers crossed for us today!

Could be the start, but things could slow down or stop.

I never got real cramps with DD. With DS and DD2 mainly, I got them in the background, but things only got going a few days and some two to three weeks later respectively. I only considered it proper labour when tbere was a clear beginning and end to a cramp.

In fact, with DD2, I swore she was on the way a week before she actually arrived.
Good luck though. Sounds as though things are definitely moving.

Fingers crossed @js30 keep me updated!!!!

Thanks @kikibo I feel like things have basically stopped for now so a little gutted! Will see what happens throughout today but doubt nothing now 😣

@nicannie yes very slow but did get more uncomfortable after a few hours. I had the midwife in at 11 that morning and was still not 100% it was early labour.

I strongly recommend a tens machine. I had one from boots and it was a saviour!

Good luck!, I wouldnt be surprised if you went in tonight so use today to calmly have everything in place, so exciting!

Thanks @stairgates - all the cramps have now stopped so I really think it was all false and nothing more to come off it unfortunately 😪

Well, sometimes things do stop and start. That doesn't mean nothing's happening at all, just that baby and you aren't ready to be dedoubled yet, as I call it.

Didnt anything progress overnight nicannie!