When is early labour not early labour?

[LuckySalem]

Had abit of a scare at the weekend. Had a few contractions that eased off.

I'm 35 weeks pregnant tomorrow and in all honesty feel like labour could start at any minute. Baby feels ridiculously low etc.

So just wondering when is it actually safe for labour to start?
I always thought full term was 36 weeks which I was glad of as 1 week early isn't a HUGE deal and to be honest, I'll be glad for 1 week early as it's really painful to do anything nowadays.

HOwever, now I've read that 37 weeks is full term. So when is early labour just labour?

37 weeks onwards is term - anything before would be premature. saying that though, if you were to give birth at 35/36 weeks chances are baby would be absolutely fine.

Thanks Heth,

MW said that if born before 35 weeks I'd have to have steroid injections and baby would go to NICU.

Just wondered whether it was dangerous to have before 36 weeks.

I'm 37+6, and feel like baby could burst out at any second, the movements are very very uncomfortable, my bump is small and very tight, and as the head is fully engaged, I can't walk too far because of the pressure.

Because of this, I have a feeling baby's on the way soonish, but I have no other labour signs, no pains, no twinges, nothing.
Just wish I knew when!

I know that feeling......

Today it has felt like the baby is literally trying to crawl it's way out.
I hope it's soon but not so soon that it's dangerous.

I'm 37+2 and only 3/5th engaged. But for past few days I've had mad tummy and back cramps and for two days I've had a a loose tummy

Feel like things are almost ready to go, but yet I'm not due til 4 March.

Im due the 6th march and had a bit of bleeding today which worried me slightly- though i did have sex this morning after a long time of not having it so i think thats it... I did have period pains/very strong braxton hicks a few days ago but thats all i've had. Its so hard not knowing when!!!!

Lucky- my friend had her baby at 35 weeks and she was fine, i think she weighed over 5lbs and was home within the week.

My due date was yesterday and I gt very excited on Friday because I started getting cramps, but went to bed that night and woke up the next day with cramps disappeared - had actually had the first full night's sleep I had had in ages! All weekend DP and I were on tenterhooks, but nothing, and in fact, although I have spent the past three weeks terribly uncomfortable, feeling like the baby will fall out, I feel much more comfy and full of energy. Very frustrating!! Even moreso because the do told me at 36+5 that he was ready to come out, big and I should "be ready to go to the hospital at any time".
Grr... I guess it just goes to show that the baby will come when s/he is good and ready - and our babies don't know what the docs have said, or what their "due date" is.
Having said that, I was told that any time after 35 weeks and the baby is 99.9% sure to be absolutely fine
Best of luck!