Cramping/contractions!!!!

Natalie
So I am 39 weeks and 5 days, for the past 3-4 days I've been experiencing bad period like cramps with back pain. It's usually the worst in the afternoon/early evening but always goes away. It's getting worse and worse every day! Is anyone else experiencing this!?!? And those that already gave birth did this happen to you before you went into labor on your own!?!? I'm hoping it's a good sign, but keeping getting false hope when they go away :(