"Period'' Cramps? [Update: Posterior Cervix??]

TheHauntedHauswife · May 2016

I've been getting what feels like period cramps for over 24 hrs now. I had been having them here and there for weeks but just yesterday they have become much more frequent. The thing is, they really don't hurt, or if they do hurt then rest of me must just hurt so much more that i barely am noticing. I would personally attribute it to "im clearly about to get my period'' cramps rather than ''day 1 of period'' cramps, which for me are pretty drastically different.

Baby is definitely wiggling around as per normal and I have no concerns that shes just fine. I tried to actually time them out just to see if they were some kind of super early contractions but there isnt too much consistency, it seems like one is coming about every 40 min to 2 hours. But i have to pay attention even to notice them, again because the rest of me is in quite a bit of pain (chronic pain illness, symphysis pubis dysfunction and pretty extreme swelling).

I'm really curious about any experiences with this. Has anyone had really light contractions/cramps that eventually intensified, or do they pretty much start in a pretty noticeable intensity? Obviously this is my first baby and i just have no idea what to really look out for for the very beginning stages. I do have the midwife late tomorrow afternoon and will of course bring it up. I'm just curious if i should even bother paying attention to them or just try and ignore them with all the rest of the stuff.

Update - Seems that all this cramping has not done much. Currently 0 station and 80% efaced, be also 0cm and cervix is barely reachable while babies head is very forward and easily can be felt. Feeling a little under educated on this cervical placement and wishing for more info about the fact that your cervix needs to move forward, odd that its not mentioned more.

kayla2536 · May 2016

In the same way, some (what I would describe as) mild cramping, tons of BH, intense pressure and the occasional severe cramp. No idea what it all means but everyone says "you'll know" when you're actually in labor.

I'm nervous because a friend of mine was 7CM dilated and was feeling contractions but thought it was just get son kicking/moving!

TheHauntedHauswife · May 2016

kayla2536 Yup definitely all of that, the BH, the pressure and i already know she is engaged as per my check last week.

My SIL also wasnt sure she was in labor and then progressed from 1 hour apart, to 3 min apart and barely made it to the hospital in time, my niece was born 5 min after arrival. Not only that but my SIL is a pretty high up nurse so shes someone very familiar with medical things and even then she said she still wasnt totally sure for a while.

So im definitely just like having a hard time gauging if this is or isnt something to concern myself with.

snowhite12 · May 2016

I have a friend who walked in for an induction already 7cm and didn't know it, she was also having contractions a few min. apart but claimed they weren't painful lol.
my sister was having severe back pain and didn't know she was in labor until my BIL took her to the hospital because she was screaming through the pain.
I haven't had hardly any painful contractions but my LO is so low my public bone feels like it's going to split in half. so far, whenever I have bad cramps it's usually just a bowel movement coming on lol.

mimi_8607 · May 2016

I've been getting the period cramps pretty frequently. I never had them the first time around. I had a couple strong ones that woke me up the other night. I think it's normal. I mentioned them to my OB and she said just your body preparing for labor. If they got to the point they were timeable and consistent then to call or get checked.

TheHauntedHauswife · May 2016

@snowhite12 I also have the super low split in half feeling. Walking at all or even worse, stairs is a nightmare at this point. So much pressure all down there.

meggyme · May 2016

I had some similar cramps last week right before my appt, so I mentioned it to the nurse and doctor. The nurse asked if I could be constipated and the doctor said "That's a good sign, that means things are happening." During the exam she also said that I was 1/2cm dilated (at 36weeks). The dilation is hardly worth mentioning, but in conjunction with the cramps I think that they could be related.

TheHauntedHauswife · May 2016

meggyme Interesting. Im curious to see what my midwife says tomorrow. When i was checked last week i was barely having these. Today its 11am and ive had atleast 4-6 of them.

meggyme · May 2016

@TheHauntedHauswife it could be correlated, but it could also be nothing. One doctor's 1/2cm is another's 0 or 1cm. It's pretty subjective. And even if she was spot on, women can be a couple cm dilated for weeks. But it's a new symptom for me, so I think it might at least be a glimpse of what early labor will feel like for me.

It's kind of funny, because I feel like I'm right back at TTC, symptom spotting possible early labor signs instead of early pregnancy signs. Every twinge makes me pause and wonder.

laylahsmomma · May 2016

I've been having "period cramps" in my lower back every few days for about a week now. The pain, when it starts, is pretty constant & lasts for a few hours. I actually had to go to my local labor & delivery last night because I hadn't felt my little feller move but a couple times yesterday, so they hooked me up to keep an eye on his heart rate & any contractions I may have been having. They checked my cervix right after they hooked me up & I was 2cm dilated & 80% effaced (last Tuesday my midwife checked me & said I was 1cm dilated & 50% effaced), but then shortly after that I started having really bad back cramps again, & they actually showed up as contractions on the NST, the on call doctor said that I was most likely in the beginning stages of early labor, but alas this morning I'm having no pains except for the expected pressure & aches. I have another midwife appointment today at 3:30, so I'm going to try & get her to check again, because I'm almost certain that my "period cramps" are correlated with cervical changes. I'm a STM but all of this is totally new to me, as I was induced with my DD @ 39w due to growth restriction & I never had any back pains or contractions with her besides BH.

TheHauntedHauswife · May 2016

laylahsmomma I was thinking about maybe calling and seeing if they could have moved me to today instead, but i think ill just wait it out until tomorrow unless of course something happens before then. I am going on almost 2 days now of having them pretty consistently, but very far apart. I started tracking them today with an app, and while the length is wrong cause its hard to track that at this point, the average is 40-70 min apart. But i mean the last one was ever so slightly worse, but nothing for me to really feel comfortable calling them contractions. But who knows!

I am curious on what your update today is like if you dont mind sharing after your appointment!

laylahsmomma · May 2016

@TheHauntedHauswife I would just keep an eye on the pains, since you say they're consistent it definitely sounds like early labor to me! I didn't "feel" any contractions last night, just terrible back pain, but they were definitely showing all over my NST sheet. So I'm kinda annoyed that today I feel nothing, lol. If your pains get worse or closer together I'd definitely give your midwife a ring, it could be nothing but at least you may get some peace of mind. & I'll definitely let you know what my midwife says today. Hopefully these little stubborn babies give their mommas a break or at least come on out so we can see them ♡

TheHauntedHauswife · May 2016

laylahsmomma Agreed!! I am having so many extra symptoms and having such a hard time right now that i am honestly worried if it goes on too long I am concerned on how i am going to do in labor.

Its such a tough spot because on one hand i dont want to 'suggest' in any way that she come out before shes ready, but at the same time i also just worry about going on too much longer because of how bad im doing, that i worry there may be issues for her where that is concerned. Like having to make difficult labor choices.

Also this is kind of silly and definitely not worth her having issues if she came out early. But my mothers intuition has just been SURE she would be a May baby. Since before she was even conceived! If i actually make it to June i am going to be completely shocked.

laylahsmomma · May 2016

@TheHauntedHauswife just got out of my appointment. I'm still at 2cm & 80% effaced, but she said that the period cramps in my back is how labor starts, but unfortunately in my case it is coming & going. I also found out today I'm borderline preeclampsia, with swelling, a small amount of protein in my pee & bp of 150/90

. She said that when the cramps / contractions get to 5 minutes apart & you can't walk or talk thru them then that's when it's go time! So for now it's just a waiting game until he's ready. She also said to make sure the baby moves at least 4 times in an hour, & to keep an eye out for leakage of fluids.

& I totally understand about not rushing them out, I want my little guy to stay in there until he's ready it's just scary not knowing what's going on! We're in the final countdown now tho, so all of this pain is definitely worth it. I would still mention all of your symptoms to your midwife tomorrow so you can get some peace of mind & reassurance that everything's okay. Good luck momma

allthingscozy · May 2016

*lurking from July*
I'm really happy to see this thread as I have had period cramps off and on for the last two weeks but this week it's been every day and a lot more constant. I'm only 34 weeks though but also have the feeling like I'm splitting in two when walking. I'm thinking I better bring this up to my dr now on Thursday. or is it better to just wait it out? Also how early did you all who did experience this start feeling this way?

NLewis1 · May 2016

Backbypopulardemand said:

*lurking from July*
I'm really happy to see this thread as I have had period cramps off and on for the last two weeks but this week it's been every day and a lot more constant. I'm only 34 weeks though but also have the feeling like I'm splitting in two when walking. I'm thinking I better bring this up to my dr now on Thursday. or is it better to just wait it out? Also how early did you all who did experience this start feeling this way?

I've had these cramps and BH ALOT since 33 weeks. I would bring it up to your dr, but I wouldn't be too worried if I were you. I did the same thing with my son whom I had at 40 weeks.

sorarose · May 2016

TheHauntedHauswife said:

laylahsmomma Agreed!! I am having so many extra symptoms and having such a hard time right now that i am honestly worried if it goes on too long I am concerned on how i am going to do in labor.

Its such a tough spot because on one hand i dont want to 'suggest' in any way that she come out before shes ready, but at the same time i also just worry about going on too much longer because of how bad im doing, that i worry there may be issues for her where that is concerned. Like having to make difficult labor choices.

Also this is kind of silly and definitely not worth her having issues if she came out early. But my mothers intuition has just been SURE she would be a May baby. Since before she was even conceived! If i actually make it to June i am going to be completely shocked.

You are 38w+, so she may almost be ready!

sorarose · May 2016

With DS, I had these cramps off and on with my entire pregnancy. So much so that I would run to the toilet to make sure I wasn't bleeding! When I really went into labor, I had them with contractions that don't feel like BH contractions. I had one really bad one, which made me bleed (learned later that can happen with dilation) and resulted in spending most of my labor in the hospital.

This time around, I've really only had the cramps off and on over the past couple weeks. Hoping that means baby will be ready to come out sooner rather than later.

TheHauntedHauswife · May 2016

laylahsmomma -They also thought i had preeclampsia and it was odd cause i was having all the symptoms but my blood was saying no. I still have insanely swollen feet and hands, its one of my most bothersome symptoms. I finally caved and bought a new pair of shoes on target clearance. I call them my clown shoes cause they are so long, but my size is not ''thick'' enough for how high my feet are swollen on the tops! They actually did send me to the hospital to be monitored about 2 weeks ago, but BP went down, though has gone back up a few times since. So its weird.

Dying to hear what they say at my appointment today. I didnt notice them while i was sleeping but resumed timing as soon as i woke up and they are pretty much exactly where they were if not lasting a touch longer. Still very consistently timeable and the last one was maybe a touch worse, curious to see how the next few hours go with them and if ill be going to the midwife appointment or the hospital first, lol.

Today is one of my very best friends birthday and tomorrow is both his birthday and the anniversary of the day that my ex-best friend pretty much ripped out my heart and stepped on it and is usually a very hard day for me. So maybe her being born tomorrow would be nice, maybe we can change the worst day of the year to the best. We shall see...

TheHauntedHauswife · May 2016

Update:

Though not much of an update. ''Period'' cramps continue, approximately give or take about 40-50 seconds long and are about 25-45 min apart. However they arent seemingly doing much. Cervix is 80% effaced and very soft but was so far back still she couldnt really check the dilation and said shes just going to assume its closed. Baby still at 0 station as she was last week.

I suppose its not good or bad news, she said typically she sees birth within 2 weeks from baby being at 0 station, but i honestly think shes already been there for that long. So i mean really my appointment didnt really give any information one way or another. However i saw the midwife i trust the least today ( its a group ) and honestly kind of wish i had had one of the other two, simply cause i just trust them a little more. But I mean theres nothing wrong with her, i just dont know her as well.

meggyme · May 2016

That's frustrating, but hopefully your cramps will turn into contractions.

NLewis1 · May 2016

If baby is at 0 station that means she's engaged right? Wouldn't she be able to feel the cervix? I didn't think baby could be at 0 station and still have a posterior cervix?

TheHauntedHauswife · May 2016

NLewis1 I originally thought this too, but after googling it to death, apparently its a thing that happens. The baby is in the right spot, but the cervix needs to ''move forward'' essentially to meet the baby's head. From what i understand now, it happens often enough and doesnt seemingly mean anything as people are saying they had a ''posterior'' cervix even just hours before delivery and that it moved where it needed to be.

TheHauntedHauswife · May 2016

That being said... i think this is a part of childbirth and all this stuff that they dont mention very often and i wish it was easier to access information about it. I can very easily feel her head with my own finger, but the midwife could barely barely touch my cervix. The distance was pretty large and trying to explain this to my husband is like impossible, especially since i cant find any kind of diagram or anything of what this looks like.

meggyme · May 2016

In classes this weekend we learned 0 station means baby's head is lined up with the bottom of your pelvis. +# would be in the birth canal. I'm guessing a posterior cervix means they don't quite line up?

TheHauntedHauswife · May 2016

meggyme As far as i can tell, Yes. I can personally feel my babys head with my finger, and i can feel it very easily. However the midwife could barely get to my cervix with her fingers if that shows how far apart they are.

I am sure i am feeling her head, not only because 2 midwives have confirmed how low she is and have shown me where her head is inside. But also because i have felt her head move from the inside, while her body is clearly wiggling around from the outside and then clearly felt her get a bit more still again.

Again this topic is very foreign to me and am wondering why its not something we hear more about.

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"Period'' Cramps? [Update: Posterior Cervix??]

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Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013

BFP: December 2013

DS: Born 08/29/2014

TTC #2: July 2015

Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013

BFP: December 2013

DS: Born 08/29/2014

TTC #2: July 2015

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Want a personalized experience?

"Period'' Cramps? [Update: Posterior Cervix??]

Re: &quot;Period&#039;&#039; Cramps? [Update: Posterior Cervix??]

Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013

BFP: December 2013

DS: Born 08/29/2014

TTC #2: July 2015

Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

Endometriosis Dx: May 2010

Married: 05/19/2012

TTC #1: June 2013

BFP: December 2013

DS: Born 08/29/2014

TTC #2: July 2015

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Re: "Period'' Cramps? [Update: Posterior Cervix??]