Period like cramps at 36 weeks?

[Dygital]

So basically i’ve been having dull aches like period pains since 30 weeks, since 36+3 they’ve become more frequent and yesterday became more painful and timetable, i went to the hospital as they were 3 minutes apart lasting around 40 seconds each time, they checked urine which all came back normal, they monitored me and it did show contractions but they never got stronger and they didn’t make my stomach tighten at all, they said if the stomach tightness comes with the cramping or i can’t walk or talk properly to go back in, they gave me 2 panadols and sent me off, the panadol did absolutely nothing and the cramps were horrible.
Had them really bad again this morning but haven’t really had them since midday, i’m not dehydrated as i drink around 3-4 litres a day and the tests showed no dehydration, i’ve had braxton hicks before and they’ve never been like this before, i had some today which was the usual tightening with no pain and that’s it, i’ve also been getting a weird sharp pain near the pubic bone, it starts at the middle then shoots quickly to the left side of the pubic bone, on and off for like 5 seconds.
Does anyone know what could be causing this? it’s really stressful 😭

Possibly Braxton Hicks? Your body getting prepared for the birth, perhaps?

I had all sorts of aches and pains which never actually led to anything. Id say from 34 weeks, felt much like stitch pains and took my breath away and the odd tightening/tingle in my back, i ended up getting to 41 & 6 days pregnant though and got induced in the end, had a sweep that got me into slow labour for a couple of days then had to have the propess to get things going more! Youll deffo know when your having them properly, be wary of back pains though, I didn’t have contractions at all in the front!