Hi,

Im new here so sorry if anyone has asked questions like this before or if i have posted wrong Also my first pregnancy so dont have a clue what to expect so hoping someone can help

I am 39 weeks pregnant and until sunday night have had an amazin pregnancy (apart from the morning sickness at the beginning). During the night on Sunday i kept wakening up with cramp but not period like cramp. It didnt come and go, was constant. This happened again during the night on Tuesday but was like period cramp, again constant not stopping and starting.

Since yesterday I have now been getting the cramps during the day in my lower abdomen. Again constant cramps which makes me think its nothing to do with labour! I have also been experiencing extreme pain at times in my vaginal area. Only way I can describe it is like someone has kicked me down below! It gets to the point Im struggling to walk.

Has anyone experienced this cramping and is it normal? The fact it is there constant when I do have it is making me worry slightly. Im not due to see midwife till next week.

sounds like your baby is engaging and you are starting to dialate and thin out

you could also be contracting and not knowing it.. are you seeing your OB/MW weekly? I'd definitely bring it up at your next appointment!

have you had an internal exam?

Hi! Thanks for the reply.

Im not seeing her weekly, last time I was to go was 37 weeks. Its my 39 week appointment I have next week although im due on the day after it but she was fully booked for this week.

No ive not had an internal exam. Im a bit daft with all this sorry lol...should i be getting one?

Hi!

I've been getting period-like pains (constant, not in waves like contractions) and the sharp pains in my cervix like you describe for about a week and a half now. The pains in my cervix are so sharp and sudden they really catch me off guard! I am hoping that it means my baby is engaging but I am going to ask my midwife today when I see her for my 38 week appointment. I didn't experience any of this with my first pregnancy but from what I have read it is very common.

I don't think they generally do internal exams in the UK until we hit 40 weeks...I never had one with my first pregnancy, first internal exam was when I was in labour!

Hi there, I just wanted to say with my first pregnancy I had a really sore stomach (period like) the day before I went in to labour and it was a constant pain all day. I remember finding it difficult to walk up the stairs as it was sore

Good luck! xx

Glad someone else has something the same! Its just the fact its constant that confuses me.

Hope all goes well at your appointment, let me know what she says

Hi Tashyluv,

Aw did you! Looks like it is normal then

Just a pitty i didnt go into labour the day after i first had the cramps!! lol

I saw my midwife this morning, she said it is completely normal and when she checked baby he was 3/5 engaged! So yep it is just them settling down into the pelvis and getting ready

Aw thats great cant wait for my next appointment to see whats happening!

Ive been having these cramps quite alot i hope something starts soon my baby has been engaged for 4 weeks now (i have scans due to gd) the pains up your bits are normal too as your babys head is moving around burrowing deeper into the pelvis