How serious are those menstral like cramps?

[blueRhino]

So my body is starting to do something, but I am not sure what!

I read somewhere that those period like cramps are more of "actual" contractions, where the tightening of the belly are more braxton hicks contractions. Well three or four days ago I started getting a little crampy, just kind of like "Oh that's a feeling I haven't had for about 9 months..." Like that first inkling that my period is on its way is the next 24 hours or so. Well that has been happening on and off, getting slightly more uncomfortable, but nothing I would associate with the word "contract."

But when people ask me if I've had any contractions I don't the answer. I would have guessed that a contraction would feel kind of like a charley horse. This is so dull and achy it is hard to say when it starts and stops.

So what are these things and what do they indicate? Can this go on for weeks? I am not super eager to go into labor it is just I would like to know if I should make plans this weekend.

[evening start]

I have been having the same kind of cramping since Monday. I have had some "timeable" contractions where I can feel a distinct start and end, but mostly it has been that dull crampyness that I associate with getting my period. This morning I had about an hour of sharp, distinct contractions between 4:45am and 6:00 am (after the fire alarm started beeping at 3:30 am -- it was not a good night for sleep), but they went away when I got up and took a shower.

When this started on Monday, I listened to the baby's heartbeat with the fetascope and had trouble finding it at first because it was two or three inches lower and more to the middle from where it has been for the last few months. My hypothesis is that the baby has dropped and the pressure of his head on my cervix is causing the cramps and occasional contractions, but that he's not quite ready to come yet (my EDD is May 9/10). I was worried on Monday, because this is supposed to me my last week of work, and I really wanted to be able to finish it out -- but I think I will make it through tomorrow.

Anyway, I think things are happening, but that we still have some time yet before babies insist it's time to come out .

[Madalyn]

I've had those too. To the point that if I didn't know better I would think my period were starting any second.

[lightheartedmom]

I've been having those "hmmm, my period is about to start" kind of cramps off and on for the last few weeks. Last night, I had some *real* contractions for about an hour, but what really kicked my butt were cramps that didn't follow the usual onset-peak-diminish pattern of a ctx. They were just there, like the 2nd day of a period cramps (but maybe even a bit worse). I'm hoping I'm not up for some serious back labor because those were really in my lower back and all I wanted to do was get a heat pack on them ASAP. I didn't because it was 1am and me = lazy butt at night. ;-)

They finally went away and I was able to get some sleep. But they were rough for awhile. When I get my period, my worst cramps are usually on the 2nd day, those are the ones that knock me out and put me on Advil. So, that's the best comparison I can come up with.

[ReadingRenee]

I get these after I do any kind of physical activity. I told my midwife and she said they were contractions. Also my baby has further engaged into the pelvis and so maybe the pressure on the cervix is causing them? Anyway my due date is not til the 20th so I expect this to go on for a few weeks. sigh...

[Error_kitten]

Ive been having the achey menstrual like cramps for about a week or two now as well (I'm 39 weeks today) and she said that early on its more of a sign of effacement and dilation.
I wish it would pick up more... The last few days I haven't been crampy but goodness is this kid like sitting so low...

[ColoradoMama]

Count me in the crampy contractions camp, too. Come on baby - time to come out!!!

[PTmorgan]

Last pregnancy I had lots and lots of Braxton-Hicks, but no cramps until I was in regular labor. This time, I've had a week of these mild intermittent menstrual-like cramps just like everyone is describing. So I'm in the same camp - "Hmm, what's going on?" I guess general "preparation", although dilating and effacing would be great too.

When I was seeing my midwife last week she kept asking me insistently if I was having any contractions, and didn't seem satisfied when I said no. Finally I told her, yes, I'm having lots of BH and the menstrual-type cramps (but they aren't clear-cut enough to have a clear start-stop). She condescendingly told me "Oh, those aren't cramps, it's just round ligament pain." and proceeded to tell me how to avoid pulling on my ligaments. I'm very clear on ligament pain - have it VERY frequently - and this is something very different. She just reiterated that I'm wrong, it's just ligaments. As you can tell, I don't get along with her very well!

Once I got home I started paying closer attention to the cramps, and they coincide with tightening across my back. They are organizing more and more into contraction-type crampiness.

This is a new sensation for me, so I'm glad to hear about others who also have this.

[nukedwifey]

Originally Posted by PTmorgan

Last pregnancy I had lots and lots of Braxton-Hicks, but no cramps until I was in regular labor. This time, I've had a week of these mild intermittent menstrual-like cramps just like everyone is describing. So I'm in the same camp - "Hmm, what's going on?" I guess general "preparation", although dilating and effacing would be great too.

When I was seeing my midwife last week she kept asking me insistently if I was having any contractions, and didn't seem satisfied when I said no. Finally I told her, yes, I'm having lots of BH and the menstrual-type cramps (but they aren't clear-cut enough to have a clear start-stop). She condescendingly told me "Oh, those aren't cramps, it's just round ligament pain." and proceeded to tell me how to avoid pulling on my ligaments. I'm very clear on ligament pain - have it VERY frequently - and this is something very different. She just reiterated that I'm wrong, it's just ligaments. As you can tell, I don't get along with her very well!

Once I got home I started paying closer attention to the cramps, and they coincide with tightening across my back. They are organizing more and more into contraction-type crampiness.

This is a new sensation for me, so I'm glad to hear about others who also have this.

I'm with you! So not the same thing. I'll take the period-like cramps I've been having off and on for the past 2 weeks over the round ligament pain I got last night that was nearly debilitating any day. Oh, so not the same thing! My round ligament pain last night in bed was bad..... So very, very painful.

[shelbean91]

Period like cramps were my contractions- never had any other real ones. It was strange.

[mamasurprised]

I had some monstrous cramps last night and woke up to a lot of bloody show. I've had that same period crampiness for about a week now with lots of BH ctx as well. I told the MW that yesterday and she did a check and I'm 70% effaced and 1cm dilated. Warming up!!

[Quate]

So may I ask where you feel menstrual type cramps? I have always felt them in my lower back but am beginning to suspect this is not true for most people ...

[cmoma]

I noticed a little bit yesterday but they were so mild I wasn't sure if it was just in my head or not. Today I am noticing them a lot more.

Quate: I feel them down low in front. Almost under my belly even.

[Misbehavedmeg]

I have also been having those on and off for a few weeks. I would say that labor contractions are a mix of the worse kind of cramps you have ever had and the tightening of the BHs. That's what I remember anyway. Plus lower back pain! Can't wait for it to start. LOL

[the_lissa]

My contractions started out like menstrual cramps. They can go on for weeks, unfortunately.

[catters]

^^^^ NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Anyway, count me in the "period like cramps" club. I've been having them daily for about a week. Also, I've been having some pretty uncomfortable BH's, but alas, no regularity, no frequency and no labor. BLEH. : ME WANT BABY!

[lightheartedmom]

Originally Posted by catters

^^^^ NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Anyway, count me in the "period like cramps" club. I've been having them daily for about a week. Also, I've been having some pretty uncomfortable BH's, but alas, no regularity, no frequency and no labor. BLEH. : ME WANT BABY!

LOL!! That is exactly what I was thinking. WEEKS?!!! NOOOOO! I'm due on Sunday...I haven't lost my mucus plug or had more than three or four ctx in a row...I believe I will be pregnant forever.

All I can say is, the cramping better be doing SOMETHING useful. I'll be pretty p-o'd if I find out I'm like 0% effaced, 0cm dilated -2 station when I start labor. I canceled my 40 week appt on Monday because I just don't want to bother, but sheesh...i'm tempted to go just to get an internal because I really want to know!

[Limabean1975]

I keep thinking I'm having cramps, then I, er, pass wind. Gas cramps!

I was just talking to a new friend today and she told me that with her second baby (1.5 years ago), she had light menstrual-like cramps for a week or so, then woke up one morning to a HARD contraction...and half an hour later baby was born. HALF AN HOUR!

[zus888]

These just started for me this morning. I even waited it out and called Dh to be on the alert and keep his phone handy. Right after I hung up, they stopped and never returned.

I had the same sensation. A cramp along the lower abdomen, which slowly progressed around the back and then released. It happened several times (about a half hour apart) before I called DH. I figured that it could go on for days or this could be it. I'm about 6 days from my due date, so I'm thinking it'll be any day now...or a couple of weeks! Ugh.

[AustGirl]

I think this is what I've been experiencing too. Past three days i've just felt crappy. Mostly like period pain and the horrible aches and grumpiness that goes with it, but I'm so exhausted from it. BHs come with tightness/pain across my back, and my belly just feels 'unhappy'. Normally my BHs are very frequent, but just tight, not too uncomfortable like this is. Bub has finally dropped as of today, so I've been wondering if it's just him changing position?

Had a couple of totally miserable ctx last night trying to get to sleep, but not the painful type I'm expecting with real labour. Couldn't sleep through them though.

Is it just prelabour?

Is it a sign I'll go early??