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Original poster

Period like cramps at 38+4 weeks

21 replies

Orangemochafrappacino · 13/08/2021 14:03

Just wondering what peoples experiences have been with this, was it a sign that labour was near or just one of those late pregnancy twinges for you?

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NoSquirrels · 13/08/2021 14:05

Quite likely to be early signs- are the cramps regular at all? How long have you been twinging?

Gustavo1 · 13/08/2021 14:05

For me, it was a sign of things getting close with the first but still 2-3 days until labour began. With the 4th however, period type cramping pains in the morning and baby arrived in the afternoon!

Original poster
Orangemochafrappacino · 13/08/2021 14:10

It started very early this morning, not very regular yet but they seem to sort of come in waves every couple of hours

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Original poster
Orangemochafrappacino · 13/08/2021 14:12

Actually I take that back it happened about 15 mins ago and it's happening again now!

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NoSquirrels · 13/08/2021 14:50

Well, if I was the betting type I’d say you’re in early labour. Exciting!

It can go on for aaaasgggeees or it can happen all quite quickly, so just relax as much as possible now and carry on as normal but if you’ve got any last minute things like hospital bag to pack etc I’d do that (voice of experience!)

HummingBeeBox · 13/08/2021 17:01

Ooh exciting! How are you OP?

TuesdayRuby · 13/08/2021 17:03

Following!! I love these threads Grin

Any news OP?

Original poster
Orangemochafrappacino · 13/08/2021 17:52

Still just the same really! Doing as suggested and trying to just keep things normally so took the dog for a walk (although the cramps meant I had to keep stopping!). Just running myself a bath and then DH is going to go get us fish and chips Grin.

Some seem to be worse than others in terms of pain but they definitley dont feel regular or strong enough to be contractions so strapping myself in for the long haul Blush

Thanks for the replies!

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TuesdayRuby · 14/08/2021 09:46

Exciting! I had those cramps for about a day - wasn’t sure anything was happening and was able to go about my day pretty fine, albeit with a few stops to manage the pain! I actually texted my friend at 9.30 saying “looks like it will be tomorrow” and by 10pm things had ramped up massively and baby was born at 11.20! So make sure you’re prepared Grin

AwkwardPaws27 · 14/08/2021 09:49

Oooo exciting! Hope all is going well.

Emmelina · 14/08/2021 09:54

It could definitely be your cervix starting to dilate. My labours were pretty much waves of period type cramps growing in intensity! I saw the other day confirmed by a doctor that period cramps are your cervix dilating a cm to let the lining out!
I’m hoping you’re well on the way now, if you don’t already have a baby, eek!

tigerjay · 14/08/2021 10:23

I was 38+5 yesterday and was so sure labour was starting! Cramps on and off all day, they seemed to be getting stronger and closer together I was so excited thought I'd try get some sleep, woke up this morning and completely disappeared 😞

No cramps whatsoever! Gutted

Original poster
Orangemochafrappacino · 14/08/2021 10:43

No baby yet! Thanks for the well wishes Flowers

Kept waking up in discomfort and going to the loo - noticed my mucus plug starting to come away at about 2am so I guess I'm heading in the right direction? No real change in intensity although they are a bit more frequent now, had to keep stopping while walking the dog again this morning!

@TuesdayRuby oh wow!! I've still got a few things to chuck in my hospital bag so I better get cracking!

@tigerjay aw thats annoying it's still early though maybe they will come back?? Fingers crossed for you!!

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georgarina · 14/08/2021 10:44

I had these for maybe a week with both leading up to labour...babies' heads were engaged and I felt sleepy and hungry (but only for simple things like ice cream). I knew it was close. With my first I felt like I was going into labour, then had a show and baby had arrived by the next night.

Then with my second I had more intense cramps the day before, and then the day of as well - I couldn't sit up and had to rock from side to side on the floor - not contractions but like a dull constant intense period-type pain that came and went. I asked DS' grandparents to come collect him and phoned the hospital and everyone around me was very unsure because I wasn't even having contractions...waters went that night and baby was born two hours later.

Original poster
Orangemochafrappacino · 16/08/2021 09:41

Update for anyone wondering the same thing- DD was born yesterday afternoon so just over 48 hours after the cramps started Smile

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Piecrust32 · 16/08/2021 10:45

Congratulations! Xx

Gustavo1 · 16/08/2021 11:51

Fantastic news. Congratulations xx

Emmelina · 16/08/2021 12:26

Congratulations!!

xxmyheartxx · 16/08/2021 12:48

Congratulations x

NoSquirrels · 16/08/2021 16:57

Congratulations! How wonderful. Rest and enjoy, OP. Flowers BrewCake

Notaroadrunner · 16/08/2021 16:59

@Orangemochafrappacino

Update for anyone wondering the same thing- DD was born yesterday afternoon so just over 48 hours after the cramps started Smile
That's great. Congratulations to you and Dh.
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