Menstrual cramps at 31 weeks pregnant??

Question

I am having some pretty strong cramps that feel like menstrual cramp right now that I haven't had yet. I don't know if that is normal at 31 weeks or if it's something else that just feels like menstrual cramps. Obviously I can't get my "period" I know that, but that is the only feeling I can relate it to.

Answer

Those can be contractions, drink a lot of water and lay down for half an hour and call your care provider. If they don’t go away after that I’d go to the hospital for monitoring, but your doctor/midwife will tell you what to do if you call now

Answer

Update: They were not just cramps. A first they thought I must just be dehydrated and going through "normal pregnancy pains" and seemed to be taking it too lightly. I felt silly for going by the way they were responding. I asked them if they could check my cervix after they did the fetal fibronectin test (tests to see if you are going into preterm labor, came back negative) and the nurse said she could but didn't think we needed to. As soon as she went to check her face and tone changed very quickly. She asked me "Can you feel that?" as I was feeling one of my "cramps" and it turns out I was having real contractions, not Braxton Hicks. I was having one right then and her face changed when she checked my cervix because it was "right there", my cervix is in an anterior position (closer to the front, happens closer to going into labor) instead of the posterior position it should be in... It will not go back to the posterior position and my cervix won't close back up in case anyone else was curious, I asked. (FTM) I had dialated just a small amount too. I am still having the "menstrual like cramps" and contractions, but there is nothing they can do besides me resting. If my water breaks, unusual vaginal discharge comes out, contractions start having a pattern and get more intense or all the other signs of labor happen then I need to go back to the hospital. Until then I rest and stay hydrated. I am happy I went and asked them to check my cervix. I am not bashing any doctors or nurses, my Hospital is great, but at 31 weeks with a negative preterm labor test they weren't expecting that I was having real contractions until they started to pick up speed or an anterior position cervix. 
Stay in there little man! 💙

Answer

Call your doctor/midwife ASAP. Those aren't cramps.

Menstrual cramps at 31 weeks pregnant??

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