38 weeks and cramping - labour imminent?

[Lalarara10]

I’m 38 weeks today and for the last 24/36 hours I’ve been having cramps in my lower tummy on and off, a couple waking me in the night. Sometimes they come every 5-10 minutes, sometimes not for an hour at a time. Sometimes they’re just sharp twinges sometimes they go on a bit longer.

Did anyone else have anything similar? Aware it might not be likely to happen today but might it mean I don’t have weeks left?

I've never had a spontaneous labour but doesn't that sound like contractions?

Maybe but there’s no pattern or regularity to them and the intensity varies - right now I’ve not really had anything for a few hours so I’m not sure!

Unfortunately I had this from 38 weeks and gave birth at 41+2 but for some women it can be a sign that things are starting to happen. Hoping for you that is the case!

It can be the start or it could just be pains.
my Labour always starts with back pain and feeling sick, then the following day or two; my contractions start. I’v been overdue both times and contracted for a few days. Varies for everyone xx
with my first baby I wondered what contractions would feel like and how would I know but when your contracting YOU KNOW!

Sounds like how I felt when I was in latent labour. As pp said when you start having proper contractions you'll 100% know it

With my first my waters went first and contractions came thick and fast a few hours later. Still very much the same - every 10-20 mins but not getting more intense or longer. Think I’ll try to ignore it until I can’t anymore!

I had this with my 3rd for about 5 days before I went into labour, they were very irregular but I went to my midwife appt the day before I gave birth and was 4cm so even if they're not coming regularly they'll still be doing something 😄 x

The cramps I’ve not noticed so much now as been to the loo 4 times - not really loose but more loose than normal and feeling really sick! Not sure what’s caused that but wondering if all of them combined could be a sign of something!

This sounds like my 2nd labour. 38 weeks, lots of cramping which I thought were Braxton hicks. Loooots of poo then mucus plug went. Baby was born within 24 hours of this all starting.

So you never know.... 🙂

What happened in the end? @Lalarara10 xx

It wasn’t labour - ended up being induced for reduced movement at 40+5. Healthy babe born at 6lbs 7oz