35 weeks and very crampy

[Marylizah]

I'm feeling a little worried about this. I'm 35 weeks, 36 Saturday, and since yesterday I've been feeling crampy and uncomfortable in my lower back. I'm also having near-constant BH contractions. With my 1st pregnancy, I had lots of BH at the end, but no crampiness until labor started.... So if anyone has BTDT, I would love some reassurance that I'm not about to give birth prematurely!

[remijo]

I'm right at 36 wks and this has been going on for me for a couple days now. Just relax and drink some water, its probably just your body getting ready.

[Marylizah]

Oh, boy. I was just telling DH I don't think I can handle this level of discomfort for another FIVE weeks! I'm torn between hoping this baby comes a little early, and hoping the discomfort goes away until labor starts for real...

[mamaonthefarm]

Did your first child arrive early?

I've had constant bh contractions with all my babies all through 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Crampiness at 35-36? I probably did too. And my babies all went to term. I really wouldn't worry about it. My homebirth midwife will actually deliver at home starting at 36 weeks - so it's probably a relatively safe gestational week, for the most part. Of course it is ideal to go until at least 38, but hey, 36 is better than much earlier. If you are super worried and feel like your baby is too early and are having too many contractions, have you tried emptying the bladder, liying down and drinking a lot of water? As a last resort, you could try sipping a little bit of wine. When I was having strong contractions at 33 weeks with my last babe and drinking water, etc. wasn't working, I made myself drink a few gulps of wine and the contractions went away immediately.

[Becken]

I was having this yesterday and I'm only 32 weeks. It was like a constant wall of BH plus that band of PMS-like cramping. I was already lying down and drinking a lot because I've got the flu, but what really made it go away was eating something! I have no idea why, but it might be worth a try to monitor your food intake and see if keeping your blood sugar constant will help.

[mouey77]

I am just past 35 weeks too and feel the same way. My first one came at 34 weeks, and my second DD arrived at 38 weeks. If I am remembering correctly from last time, I think I felt pretty crampy/nauseous for a week or two prior to going into labor, so I wouldn't worry too much.

[chai]

You might also try upping your cal/mag intake, as well as ensuring you're getting enough potassium/sodium. Deficiencies in those can cause muscle contractions.

[smokeylo]

I have found that 36 weeks is a really weird week for me -- in both pregnancies I got super crampy and hormonal during that work. I went to 39w3d with DD, so I don't think it necessarily means birth is imminent. I think it's just our bodies doing their thing to get ready for birth. Hydration and things that help with baby's position help relieve the crampier stuff.