Sharp bump pains 37+5, labour nearing or just pregnancy pains?

[geemeister]

So for the last week or so I’ve been getting cramps across my lower bump/hips, at first I thought it was labour being super close because my bump dropped a lot (second baby, I read somewhere it drops closer to labour than with your first) but this morning I woke up with horriblr sharp pains all over my bump and hips :(( I don’t really know if it’s just preparation for labour but it’s definitely not established labour because there’s no pattern to them and it’ll be super painful, ease off, I’ll get mild and erratic cramps with no pattern, they ease off again. It’s so frustrating to think I’m going to meet DD soon and then the pains just … taper off

Anyone else experience this? Was it just pregnancy pain or was it an indicator that the time was close?
I’m getting multiple other symptoms that are considered “signs” like nesting, insomnia, restlessness, bump dropping, bursts of energy, the purple line, less heartburn and more hunger, losing my plug in bits over the last week etc. No bloody show, no consistency to the pains, so I’m stumped as to whether it’s just late pregnancy or if it’s actually a sign that things might progress soon

I had a very quick labour with my son, felt pretty sore for the lead up but nothing like this, and my waters went when I was 2cm, he was born a few hours later. So I don’t have a fair comparison to these pains because I never got them with him

Anyone experienced this? In your experience was it just end of pregnancy stuff, or did it indicate labour was nearby?

I’ve been getting pains so got checked over and was told it was the baby’s head engaging and labour was probably close.
I’d phone your midwife or triage to get checked over just to be on the safe side

I'm 37+4 today and similar to you. Have been having pains/braxton hicks plus pain in my back on and off the past two days. Had my first at 37+2 and I didn't have any pains. My waters went and contractions started, he was born a few hours later.
No other signs yet. I've been trying to drink more water as I hear dehydration can make BH worse. Plus trying to rest as I've been doing a lot of nesting so I'm sure that isn't helping.
The waiting and wondering is killing me 😂
Was your first early?

@Hiddenvoice I have a growth scan tomorrow so if it stays the same kind of baseline level of pain without any signs of labour I’ll ask them to check engagement then to save me running back and forth to hospital, thanks!

@QueenLagertha honestly I drink enough water nowadays to make a small swimming pool 😂 and yeah my first was 8 days early!

It’s great you’ve got a scan but if it’s still bad then please don’t risk waiting! I’ve been back and forth at the hospital all week and all the nurses and midwives couldn’t have been nicer. They would all rather you were checked and the baby is okay rather than you being in pain. Is the baby moving about as normal?

@Hiddenvoice don’t worry I won’t! When I get pains that feels more than BH I time them to make sure they aren’t consistent, and baby is moving about completely normally :) there are no worrying symptoms other than the pain and I’m sure the midwives would be lovely if I went but it’s a bit difficult to navigate someone to come watch my son which is why I haven’t gone already
If it gets extremely painful or any other worrying symptoms come up I’ll definitely go though, but thank you for your concern!