I've been in the same boat hun. Just got checked today and my cervix is opening-so explains the stingy sensation, but I'm not dilated, and already effacing. I'm 36 weeks 5 days. my contractions hurt like a mother effer and my tummy gets rock hard. But they aren't consistent, so i just have to deal with it =( it's my second baby also, my first was 9.5 pounds and this baby is big too
The stinging might be you dilating. If you're concerned, go to the er. They'll check you every so often and if you're not dilating, give you visterall (I know that's spelled wrong). If you keep having contractions, then that means you're in active labor. But if they stop after taking the meds, they were just practice contractions than.