"prelabor" cramps?

[Anonymous]

In the past couple of days I've suddenly been getting lots of cramps, like bad period cramps. I'm past my due date, and I'm wondering what, if anything, this might mean in terms of when I might go into labor. (I've been about 1 cm dilated for a week or so, with less than 50% effacement.) Anyone have any thoughts or experience to share? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Being past your due date may give you a little more idea as to when than the cramping, especially if this is not your first child.

I moved from those little tightening contractions to the bad menstrual cramp ones a couple of weeks ago and still nothing. They happen about 10 times a day for me. If they start getting closer and stronger, then you may be in early labor.

Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

I had a few days of mild menstrual-like cramps, then at 3 a.m. one night my water broke. I had been 80% effaced and 1-2 cm dilated. An hour later I was having contractions 3-4 minutes apart. When I got to the hospital I was 2-3 cm dilated. Two hours later (when the epidural kicked in) I was 5 cm dilated. Delivered my 9 lb baby at 5 pm that day.

So for me, the "mild menstrual cramps" were early labor. I never had the distinct contractions 15-20 minutes apart like I read about in the books.

This was my first pregnancy and I was 2 days before my due date.