The start of labour?

[Bethy1995]

Just after some other mums experiences really, I've been losing bits of my mucus plug over the past few weeks and had lots of braxton hicks, however last night I started getting period type cramping and this today a sort of pinching feeling in the area where period cramping would be too along with tightenings.

Could this be early labour or am I overthinking? I'm 38+6.

It sounds like it could be the start but no way to know how long this stage might take if it is. I’d call the midwives and ask their advice. Are the tightenings regular? Painful?

@Ummm21 to be honest I haven't been timing them because they're not super painful. The cramping is painful though, I'm trying not to overthink it if you know what I mean

A good relaxed approach will help but I’d keep an eye on timings and if anything changes such as they get more regular, become more intense or you start seeing other signs of labour I would definitely give them a call :)

If it’s labour it won’t stop, the tightenings will
Get more painful and closer together. Try and chill, maybe have a bath or a walk. Good luck x

It sounds like it could be the start. Just try to relax as best as possible and if you notice them more start to time them. Good luck!

Update: no progression into labour since my original post however from around 9pm I've had terrible backache and been up every two hours in the night with on/off cramps.

I've got a growth scan booked for 11.30 anyway and they did tell me that there's a possibility I might be induced this week due to slightly reduce growth at my last scan.