What to expect at the start of labour/early labour?

So im 4 days overdue and having period like cramps in my lower stomach which are very uncomfortable and also the constant need to poop (sorry for the information) not to long ago I also experience a very sharp shooting pain at the bottom/inside my 'parts'. Every pain i get i think is going to lead to labour but i always seem wrong so i just wanted to know what kinds of feelings people got right at the start of their labours? I know i have to look for contractions and waters breaking but i think every pain i have is some form of contraction - i think im just panicing at the thought of labour but if i know what to expect early on then i can prepare myself with whats to follow amd probably wont worry as much - so yeah  

If you're having period like cramps and they are consistent then that would be labor. Thats how mine started with period like cramps mine went from 5 min to 3 min in just a few hours and they stayed like that for about 8 hours. My water broke when I was already in labor.

<blockquote><b>Quoting myKaydence:</b>" If you're having period like cramps and they are consistent then that would be labor. Thats how mine ... [snip!] ... 5 min to 3 min in just a few hours and they stayed like that for about 8 hours. My water broke when I was already in labor."</blockquote>




Thankyou! Ive been having these cramps since last night but managed to sleep through them and my doctor said if i can sleep then its not labour! Last night they were moreso uncomfortable and today they are moreso painful so i guess im really confused - i cant really see a pattern to them though cause they feel as if they do not go but sometimes it just feels more intense than other times  

Mine started at about 11pm and I was able to sleep until about 1am, I took a bath and they just kept getting worse so I went in and was indeed in labor. Just sit by a clock and time them. Most women start labor at night. You are prob in the early stages good luck.

<blockquote><b>Quoting myKaydence:</b>" Mine started at about 11pm and I was able to sleep until about 1am, I took a bath and they just kept ... [snip!] ... in labor. Just sit by a clock and time them. Most women start labor at night. You are prob in the early stages good luck."</blockquote>




Thankyou! Ill be sure to keep an eye then  

Does your stomach have to get hard in order for it to be called a contraction? Or do you just get the period like cramps?