How long did y’all have cramping before y’all actually went into labor/your water broke?

I’ll be 36 weeks on Wednesday & today and yesterday I have been cramping that feels like period cramps, and some really hurt. I can still walk/talk through them and they’re off and on. I’m having those and frequent Braxton Hicks.

I’ve heard period cramping is one of the things to watch out for. I’m not having any other “symptoms” so I honestly don’t think I’ll be going into labor right now or anything lol but I also don’t want to be completely caught off guard. I’m a FTM so this is all new to me.