34 weeks and period cramps

[ammanda]

I am 34 weeks pregnant, and yesterday after I was done getting around for the day, I started getting cramps, just like the ones I got during the first couple days of my period, they wernt too painful, but felt just like my original period cramps, and at the same time I had a horrible pain in my lower leg, it hurt to walk and to drive.  Cause it was the same leg I use to drive with.   they went away about 20 minutes later or so.  But then I had a couple more of them today just about 30 minutes ago.. Is this normal...

And Another question I have I have is What exactly do contractions feel like?

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Cramps are normal, the pressure in the area of your cervix is normal, especially if you are having contractions (even BH).  You could have dropped and baby could by laying on a nerve like nickie said.  The backache is also normal.  But like another poster said, nto all women go into labor the "typical" way.  Some women don't get the painful regular contractions.  My mom didn't know she was in labor, she just thought she had diarrhea really bad, spent the night on the toilet, til her mother made her go to the hospital...my brother was born less than an hour and half of getting there.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

It sounds to me like you were experiencing braxton hicks contractions.  Remember that period cramps are your uterus contracting in order to shed the lining.  Braxton hicks are your uterus doing practice contractions so it can very well feel the same.

A braxton hicks contraction will feel like just your uterus getting tighterr and harder and then releasing.  REAL contractions typically start in your back and the pain/sensation sort of wraps around to the front of your uterus as it tightens and becomes hard. For some women though they say they feel it in the front first then in the back.  

One way to tell the difference between braxton hicks and real contractions is to change your activity. If you have been doing a lot of activity, walking/cleaning/etc...go sit down with your feet propped or lay down for awhile...if you have been resting, get up and walk around.  Many times if it is just braxton hicks the change in activity will cause them to go away.  Also, drink LOTS and LOTS of water.  Not getting enough water can bring on contractions as well.  

BUT, if for some reason, baby decides it wants to come NOW...everything should be ok...at 34 weeks baby has an excellant chance of not having any lasting problems.  But if you are concerned, you should always call your ob or just go to L & D.  

[mom2ariana]

they could possibly be contractions because ive heard people describe them as really bad period cramps. but if they're not consistent i wouldn't worry too much...i imagine BH feel different the farther along you are.

[MissmyAngel]

Yes, the baby should be ok at your stage. :)

[ammanda]

missmyangel-  You know its possible, but my Mother in law told me I looked like I dropped like 2 weeks ago, i was gonna ask my doctor but I forgot, can they tell if you have just by a visual?  And i have been having alot of pressure in my vagina area for weeks now and i was told that was from him dropping.


mom2gnm- when u went into labor, with these cramps were they consistant and alot of them, cause like I said, I had them yesterday for like 20 minutes straight, and then no more till today I had a couple

[ammanda]

thanks girls, I really dont think its nothing, like I said ive had them about three times in the past week, but nothing serious and nothing consistant..  Are you not supposed to get cramps during pregnancy?  And my back does hurt alittle bit right now, and its getting harder and harder to get up out of my chair and off the bed.  I have major pressure in my Vagina area everytime I move.. But I havnt go any of those cramps yet again, for about 5 hours..  I dont think its anything.  My hospital is an hour away and I dont want to go all that way for nothing.  Im 34 weeks so if I were to go into labor now, everything would be fine right?  I dont think I should worry unless I get more cramping.. am i right on that?

Oh and nickie, yea my doctor did mention back when I was 32 weeks about possibly inducing me early cause my uterus wasnt growing, and he wouldnt have any room to grow inside me.  Cause for 2 months I was flunctuating from 27 cm to 28 cm back to 27 and then 28 again, and the last measurement was 28 cm when I was 32 weeks so I should have been 32 cm.. then I went back a few days ago when I hit 34 weeks, and my uterus grew to 32 cm.  So he thinks its starting to grow now, but he said were still gonna keep an eye on it, so he started my weekly visits now instead of 36 weeks.. So I dont know what to think about any of this.. I havnt lost any of my mucus plug or anything..  My friend just lost her entire mucus plug on Monday and went into labor 2 hours later, and she was only 36 weeks..