Period pains at 37 weeks

[Autumn231]

I’m 37 weeks tomorrow and driving myself mad overanalysing how I’m feeling!

For a couple of weeks I’ve had diarrhoea and an increase in discharge (sorry if TMI) and a lot of pressure low down as well as Braxton hicks. Today I’m feeling just generally a bit rubbish, had lots of pressure while walking the dog, and this evening have period pains and feel sick. Could this be the start of something?

Had no warning signs with DS before waters broke so I think I’m just over analysis everything.

Period pains aren’t coming and going, just a low full ache / cramping.

It’s going to be a long few weeks of symptom spotting / driving myself mad if baby is late!

It sounds like your body is preparing for the birth, what I can't say is if that's tonight or in 3 weeks, sorry!

With my second I started losing my mucus plug but only when I wiped and felt lots more pressure down there other than that I had no signs with DC2 just woke up in the middle of the night with a pressure feeling and pains and needing to go to the loo but nothing happening. Pains were every 10 mins so after an hour of that I knew something was going on. I was 38 weeks.

Try and rest and keep hydrated and remember to eat. Sort the hospital bag if haven't already. It really could be any day or just long and drawn out, sorry that's not more helpful

No thank you that’s what I need to hear as I know that logically! I guess I’m just struggling tonight in particular as I’m quite uncomfortable with them and struggling with the thought this could go on for weeks 🙈 Going to make sure I’m properly hydrated and go to bed and hope that either things progress or that everything eases off so that at least I’m not in discomfort.

Have a warm bath if you can and see if it goes away, not long either way!

Maybe take some paracetamol to see if it eases off a bit to at least get some sleep. The last week's are the worst, I swear the sleep deprivation starts before they are even born!
You go from wanting to be in labour to 'shit this is happening now' 🤣.
I went over with my first and I was so shocked to be 2 weeks early with second, was born within 6 hours of the first pain too and first was 48 hours with induction drugs so worlds apart.

Final hurdle and you'll be holding your baby soon enough x

Sounds like body is getting ready sounds like my pregnancies I too over analysed everything we're human after all, good luck look after yourself xx

No words of comfort - just to say I’m 36.5 weeks and could have written exactly this! Also driving myself crazy wondering if labour is imminent. Even my midwife sent me to the hospital last week for assessment because the braxton hicks/tightenings were so strong and regular at one of my appointments! I suppose there is no way to know - but hope you manage to get some decent rest tonight and this is definitely the home straight at least! Good luck!

🧺🧶🧵🪡🧸

I'm 38+3 and have felt the same like you for the last week and a half 🥴 Had my MW appt today, they said baby is engaged (they weren't 2 weeks ago) and my digital notes app says baby is 1/5 engaged. I think that means very engaged, eek! So I've gone from not engaged to 1/5 engaged. With my last baby, I went slowly (every 2 weeks) from 4/5 to 3/5 to 2/5 and then never made it to 1/5. No wonder I'm so uncomfy! Hope it happens for you soon!

Well I woke up about an hour ago really uncomfortable. Again thought it might just be in my head/ usual pregnancy discomfort but pretty sure I’ve just had two contractions in the last 20 mins or so. Not sure whether to carry on trying to rest or whether to get up and move around a bit.

I had loads of aches and pains before DD was born. The only thing that seemed to guarantee labour was starting was when I had the bloody show. My water didn't break until I was 10cm

Sounds like it is all starting! How exciting!! Keep resting until you can't anymore

@Autumn231 definitely try and rest. If its the real deal it'll carry on regardless, and then you'll probably feel a stronger urge to get up and move about with them. If its not quite time yet, they might knock off in a bit and the worst that'll have happened is you'll be a bit more rested ❤️ I had pre eclampsia with my (now 7 month old) baby and went into pre term labour at 34ish weeks, it felt very similar to what your describing. Got myself to a fully effaced, 3cms dilated with a very engaged baby, then everything stopped til I had my waters broken at 37+1 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

Well after two hours of regular ish pains they just suddenly completely stopped and didn’t come back all night! So now wondering if they were Braxton hicks. Very confused but at least I got some sleep.

I'm glad you're feeling better.

I literally came here to post almost the exact same thing! Lots of period cramps today and feeling like rubbish. And big loss of appetite. It's 5pm and I've just realised all I've eaten today is some toast and yoghurt. I had a 2 hour nap this afternoon as well.
Although my cramps are more uncomfortable than anything. I don't feel I need paracetamol for them

Only thing is, I'm only 32+4 so not ready yet!

At your gestation I think it’s a good idea to ring the labour ward.

OP, it could be braxton hicks or it could be latent labour either way your body is getting ready for birth.

@Marchforward I'm seeing the midwives and OB tomorrow, so I figured I'll see how I feel overnight and will be mentioning this to them

If it gets worse it probably means bubs is on the way. Congratulations all the best for the new arrival.

Sounds as though baby’s dropped into position!
Can you feel them moving still?

Yes he’s still moving as normal, he’s definitely been a lot lower these last few days. Feels like he’s going to fall out when I go for a walk 🤣 Period pains back today but just a dull ache so will try and stay active today and see if anything happens. Very aware this could be a long few weeks of analysing every sign, but at the same time does feel like something is happening sooner rather than later.

@Gizzy93 definitely keep an eye on it and ring your triage if things get worse or if movements change with you being so early!

If there is a risk of pre term labour you need to act now.

I’m feeling so similar to you! I’m 38+4 and really struggling with period type pains/cramps, especially at night. It’s definitely not labour. I didn’t get this at all with my first but then I had a lot more time to rest so I’m thinking maybe I’m just overdoing it. Nursery is closed today which I could really have done without. DH has just taken DS to the park on his lunch break so I can have a lie down and I’m feeling much better.