Menstrual-like cramping & lower back ache

[mamas2atti]

I'm 38 weeks and have been having menstrual-like cramps and some stomach hardening since last night. My lower back is getting a little achy and my legs too. Is this a sign of impending labor? I'm not counting on it, but I can hope right?

[IntuitiveJamie]

What you are describing sounds like effacement to me. It's great to get all that work done so when you go into active labor things can move along quickly. As far as it being impending it could be or it might not be. I've had this going on for weeks now. Lets hope it means any sec. now for you though!

[lactivist]

I had that for about 10 days before Dahlia came. It is a sign but can be a quick or slower sign. Labor is so hard to predict. I know the night before she was born was the first night I woke up to contractions in my sleep. There was a definite shift that felt like labor was on the way. Here's hoping!
Wendi

[Plaid Leopard]

I've been having that for the past week or so. I will be 39 weeks tomorrow. As of last Tuesday my cervix was completely closed, and although the baby is super low, I can't feel what the cervix is doing when I try to check. I think it must be really posterior still.

[jazzybaby9]

This has been going on with me for awhile as well. Still waiting for babe though.

[~minnow~]

I'm having the same thing yesterday and today. I'm 37.5 weeks and hope to hold out at least until my doula returns from her trip in a week. My partner joked it was the changing barometric pressure (rainy and windy) making me cramp.

[Maple Leaf Mama]

I'm 37 weeks and have had the period cramping for over a week.I'm a fingertip dilated. I've given up on the baby coming any time soon.

[mamas2atti]

Thanks for the input ladies! With both ds1 and ds2 I had no signs of anything happening until I was induced with pitocin into active labor. I hate to take anything as a "sign" but every little difference from my last two gives me hope that I will finally go into labor on my own and that I might not have to wait 42 weeks for this one to come.

Hang in there ladies! Nobody can be pregnant forever!