Period-like cramping?

[**mom2one**]

Hi there,

I don't post much but have been lurking and reading during my whole pregnancy - I feel like I know all of you!
I have been having some period like cramping low down on and off for a few days now. Any ideas what this is? Is it the baby moving down or is it like pre-labor? I am 36 weeks 2 days. THis is my second - I was 2 weeks early for my first. I am really ready to NOT be pregnant anymore - but of course I want baby to stay in until he/she is ready! So ideas on what this cramping is?
TIA
Lindsay

[chisub]

I've had that cramping on and off for at least a month (I'm 39w1d). Do you notice a pattern or is it just generalized menstrual cramping? I just figure any cramping/discomfort means something is working, so it's a good sign!

[Patchfire]

Personally, cramping for me has meant labor was the next thing - w/ dd, five hours of cramping turned into labor, and w/ ds, it was more like 2.5 days, but still, no break between the cramping and eventual labor.

Other people seem to have the cramps for a lot longer and more sporadically. I keep waiting for mine this time, though.

[**mom2one**]

mostly just generalized cramping - nothing regular or anything. Just uncomfortable! I too thought it must be a good sign that SOMETHING is going on! I have my dh on call though, just in case!

[nerdymom]

I've been having that off and on for weeks now.

[peainthepod]

Originally Posted by nerdymom

I've been having that off and on for weeks now.

Yes, same here. Nothing has happened so far and I'm 40 weeks today. This endless waiting is so miserable...I keep worrying that I won't go into labor by 42 weeks and have to be induced, in which case I can't have my homebirth...

Please come out, little baby.

[nznavo]

Same here. With my first, the cramping turned into labour but not this time. I'm 40 weeks today also. I'm hoping that all the cramping will make for a shorter labour.

[coyotemist]

my dr said cramping is dilation. 2 days after the cramping my water broke & i went into labor

[ambotchka]

I'm cramping kinda strong now, which is how DD's labor started. With her, I woke up to cramping at 2am and had her at 2am the next day. I was going to take a nap, but I'm worried that if I lie down, it'll go away!