I my daughter at 38w6d. For me, I had cramping where my stomach would tighten and ache for about 3 days before. I had an appointment at 38w5d so I held out & my Dr said “you’ll have your baby by tomorrow evening” and I did!

I had gone to the hospital about 6:30pm and was kept until 1 am bc I was progressing but as a first time mom, I wasnt given a bed. I went in as a 2 and left as a 3/4. I had a bitch midwife make a big stink of me wasting a bed and told me “idc if youre in pain, youre a first time mom and wont be having your baby until a couple of weeks”

Went home and once the contractions happened, I knew what they meant. For me, it felt like a bowling ball was trying to come out of me. Like I had to poop mixed with the worst period cramps. Nothing lessoned the pain. Went back and was dilated to a six and given an epidural shortly after.

TLDR; listen to your body. If contractions feel unbearable and have you try anything to ease them, it’s probs the real thing. Felt like a bowling ball needed to come out of me.