Period type pains 20 weeks pregnant

[Applecrumblex]

Hi, I’m 20 weeks pregnant with my first. Last night at about 9pm I got some mild period type cramps. I didn’t think too much about it and went to bed. Woke up at 3am with more intense pains that seemed to come and go frequently. Ended up calling the midwife and because I found out I have a low lying placenta and my scan 2 days ago they wanted me to go in. They checked the cervix and no sign of bleeding and heartbeat sounded good. They wanted me to stay in so that they could give me stronger pain relief and monitor me but I’m so scared of hospitals that I just said I would come home and go back if I had any bleeding.
I’m just so worried. Could it be stretching pain? I have had round ligament pain but that’s more of a sudden jolt when I get up etc, this has been a real ache which is full then suddenly worse for a while.

Is this your first baby? I didn't have anything like that with my first but with my second braxton hicks/contractions started sooo much earlier and at times I panicked I was in preterm labour. They would just come and go but were so strong at times. They'd also feel worse if I'd just been on my feet too much. Like a combination of stretching uterus and braxton hicks. Glad you went to get checked out and don't worry about going more then once. If you're still concerned go back, they won't mind 🙂