Contractions can be in your upper thighs.
I get severe cramps in my inner thighs as well. I'm due on the 20th and have been experiencing this for a little over a month now.
The day i went into labor with my first babygirl was the day i was scheduled to be induced. I got extremely bad cramps in my thigh. I woke up. the only position that helped was standing up i absolutly could not sit down in any way or lay down because it hurt so bad in my thigh. I was scheduled for 5. But stuck out the pain. I have a high tolerence. Well i go in expecting to be induced as i tell them about the pain in my thigh. Turns out i didnt need to be induced i was hooked up to the moniter having contractions of 2-3 mins apart. And dialated to a 3, i didnt feel any contractions in my tummt though they were all in my thigh.! Long story lol
Probably from your hips spreading.