Pressure, cramps, or a sign of labour? How to tell...?

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I'm 40+5 today and since last night I've been having irregular (say every hour, or every two hours) cramping-like pain low down in my bump. Kind of like period pain. I'm obviously keen for labour to get going, but I'm just wondering... is this a sign of anything, or could this just be caused by baby pressing down on my bladder/the pressure of the head in general? I've experienced it both whilst sitting down or lying down, but don't think I have whilst walking/standing (went on a long walk today).

This is my second child, so I should probably know... but I got induced last time (which is something I'm really keen to avoid this time).

I was induced first time round 37 + 6 due to reduce movement episodes but I had a great experience & Labour and delivery but didn’t know what to expect this time round if it went natural! Had my daughter 2 weeks ago tomorrow & went into labour naturally this time 😀

I had period like cramps around a week or so before due date - she was due Sunday 3rd March but arrived 4th March.I was really exhausted Sunday afternoon so fell asleep for a while which i‘m glad I did as contractions kicked off Sunday evening.

They were so much more manageable than when being induced that at first I thought it was just normal aches and pains I had been getting due to challenging pregnancy. Was a pattern of around 10 minutes or so at first. If you feel a pattern at any point reach out to your maternity unit for advice. I sat on yoga ball and did my stretches I’d been doing through pregnancy.

Ramped up over night and by morning by the time I rang triage & got to hospital I was at 6cm. I remember being at 6cm when induced with pessary and honestly the pains were SO different - much more intense with the induction. Even when they took pessary out it was still intense in comparison 🙈

You may find them to be less painful too well the first part of it 🤞🏾

Thanks... I wish I didn't know my due date almost, I feel like a watched pot I've booked in an elective c section rather than an induction at 42 weeks, so I've got a bit of time but I feel like it's looming over me... I kind of regret booking anything in, but they were really keen. Wish I had a crystal ball!

I'm really hoping this is the start of something... there's definitely not a pattern, so I'm not sure

This sounds similar to how mine started, for maybe a day or two semi regular tightenings/cramps. Then the evening of day two it got pretty painful and very obviously contraction like. Good luck! Try going for a walk, or having sex if you can be arsed 😂 my midwife said that post stretch and sweep having sex was the most sure fire way to really kick it in to the next gear

One of mine never went into serious pain or contractions it was just period pain in my bump and back then a few hours later I felt to push. That was my best labour. The rest done there own thing and caused me great pain!. Keep an eye on it Defo.