How did early labour start for you?

[Racoonworld]

I’m 37 weeks, first pregnancy, and for the last day or two had period like pains on and off, sometimes on one side, sometimes all over, no pattern. Is this my body getting ready? I have no idea what to look for, how long it might be. What was it like for you?

Yep you're getting ready! How exciting! It's not labour yet, it's just Braxton Hicks. You'll know it's labour when it starts to be regular and you can time the gaps between tightenings.

It could be weeks yet in my experience but it's all good, all of those feelings are your muscles toning up so they can be really efficient

40+10, DD was back to back so mine felt like someone squeezing my lower back on and off. Took ages for me to connect it to early labour, I expected period cramps. I was just trying to watch Mad Max but kept getting this annoying back pain 😁