Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

I've been having them for a couple of weeks now, but they are pretty bad today. And I feel like (sorry for TMI) I have to poop with them.
I didn't go into labor the last time, I have no idea what I am looking for!

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

It's probably early labor. For me, contractions felt like cramps x 100. It was the same kind of pain, but more intense.

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

I have no experience but have heard people describe them like that. .

good luck!!!!

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

Early labor for me were cramps that felt like I needed to poop. I'd have a minor contraction and then get this feeling of having to go to the bathroom. I'd go, sit, nothing. Happened like that for a couple of hours.

12 hours later my water broke.

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

That is what I heard they feel like. Good luck!

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

Yes! That is the best way to describe ut if you are in early labor. I was like that for a few days and then the painful contractions came-far apart and incinsistent at first. When I was 5min apart I went to my obgyn and then the hospital.

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

Yes, I would call your MD and go to L&D for sure.
I felt like this and got to the hospital with 20 minutes to spare
good luck!!

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

Yup! thats how it all started for me. I woke up with dull period cramps..then they only got worse from there! Always felt like i had to poop

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

biiiig sign with the poop...def a sign..the day I went into labor I kept feeling like I needed to poop but obviously I wasn't pooping out a baby GL!!!

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

My contractions with DD felt like menstrual cramps magnified 100x. They actually started like mild cramps but then increased in intensity.

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

Thanks everyone! Hoping something is starting to happen..
I'm sure I'll be around for another few weeks though I just have this feeling I'm going to go all the way to the bitter end of 42 weeks.

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

That's exactly how my labor started last time!

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

yes!
menstrual like cramps were a sign i was in labor.

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Call your OB

I would have had NO idea they were contractions...in a nutshell, I was cramping (like mild AF cramps) the day before my scheduled C-Section. I went into the hospital for an amnio to confirm lung maturity..and the cramps got slightly stronger (not bad though).

Thankfully it's common practice to be hooked up to a stress test after an amnio, and guess what-it put me right into labor! My so-called AF cramps were, in fact, contractions that were 2 minutes apart. Had I not been hooked up to the test I would've had no clue.

I ended up having the C-section that night.

Good Luck!

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

When I went into labor w/ Lexi (the night before my scheduled C) mine started off as cramping and then it really started to go to my legs ...Could be something brewing !!!

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

OOO YEAH!! you are definitely beginning to go into labor!! I had cramping for about a week, the night before I went into labor I got really bad cramps, and that next morning I started having contractions!!
you sound like you will be going soon!! good luck!!

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

Sounds promising!

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

yes, thats how it started for me...I kept on feeling I had to go to the bathroom...then realized the feeling was coming every 3 minutes!!!


Good luck!!!!!

Re: Can menstrual-type cramps be a sign of labor?

I don't know personally either, but from everything I've been reading that does sound like the start of labor.

How exciting, Lauren!!