Period cramps before labor?

Im 37 weeks 1 day and 2 nights ago i started having really painful cramps as if i was about to get my period with a full heavy flow any minute. It was nothing i could time because it was constant, not on and off. I was able to sleep but every time i woke up to change positions, the cramping was still there and also when i woke up. Last night the cramping started at the same time (7 pm) but intensified-The pain woke me up and left me feeling weak. During the day i notice that the baby dropped!

Last week my dr said my cervix is still closed...could this be a sign of progression or early labor? I dont think the baby dropped yet as far as i can tell