Could it be Pre-labour - and how long did yours last?

Hi all;

After being convinced I would go well overdue with this baby...

2 mornings ago I had some nice strong BH, a little uncomfortable. They came for about an hour, not too regular and ended when I got out of bed. I had no doubt even before I got up that they were BH & I just enjoyed the thought that my body wqas getting ready.

Yesterday about lunchtime I started feeling crampy. This lasted for about 4-5 hours and then I started getting contractions.
They came every 10 minutes, quite uncomfortable - I won't say painful, not compared to real labour but definitely worse than the BH I usually get.
This lasted about 4 1/2 hours & then DH & I went to bed thinking either way it was worth getting some rest. I had my last one shortly before dropping off to sleep.
And that was it.
I woke up a couple of hours later...nothing.
Since being up this morning no more contrax but back to feeling crampy.

Previous bubs were all late. I had NO early labour signs with the first.
DS1 I had 2 weeks of irregular BH, the day before birth they came regular but not painful and then led into labour (the transition from BH to labour contrax felt exactly like what I was getting last night). He was born at 40+13
DS2 I had weeks of irregular BH, again not painful which never went anywhere & he was induced at 40+10.
I have never lost my plug or had a bloody show....the above is the ONLY pre-labour signs I have ever had.
This bub is not yet quite engaged, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything, and I haven't had an internal, as being effaced and/ or dilated wouldn't necessarily mean anything either... I don't want to get hung up on that when it might not mean anything kwim? Now I have these BH which looks like it might not mean anything either!

So what I am wondering is how long is this going to go on for... I can take a few days of it but please not weeks.... If I go as late as I thought I would I could have another 3-4 weeks yet!
I had just assumed she would be late like the others, but I was also looking for some regular, painful BH to let me know we were on the way.
Now I'm not so sure...about any of it!
What do you think, and what experiences have you had?
TIA :)

Sorry I don't have any answers for you Jasp, just wanted to give you a :hug:.

I've had similar things to you going on for the last week and half and like you bubs is only 4/5 engaged and I haven't lost my plug or had a show... It's so frustrating wondering if things are getting started only to get let down again. But, the good news is that one of these times it will be time! :hooray:

Thanks Miss E :hug:

I had cramps again all morning but they have eased off now too. So I am starting to think it's nothing to be excited about :doh:

..but you are soo right, won't be long before it is!

jasp - with bella i had quite strong BH for a week before my body decided it was time!!!
GL xxx

Thanks Rainbow Raver :)
I guess I can take a week of this if I have to :D...but not too much longer!

I guess what bothers me most is the assumption I had that I would go 2 weeks over. That means another 3 1/2 weeks before bub. I was ok with that until now!...