Do period cramps mean your starting to dilate or efface?

Holly

Are period cramps a sign your body is preparing for labor.. like is that when you're dilating and possibly thinning out? I'll be 40 weeks on Saturday and as of last week I've had zero signs of labor, closed and thick. But last night and today I've bad mild period cramps on and off. I know they're not contractions but was wondering if this is what happens when your body starts to prepare itself..