When do you worry about PMS-type cramping?

Hey ladies! Just wondering if someone can give me a clue about when you should get worried about PMS-type cramping. It's on the list of things to report to the midwife, as a sign of preterm labour. I remember having that kind of ache in my other pregnancies, and it was no big deal - I was close to the end anyways, and if things were ramping up for labour, so be it. But I feel like it didn't start this early. I'm just about 30 weeks, and the past 3 or 4 days I've had a fair bit of cramping in the morning and evening - especially the evening. I'm not spotting, leaking, or anything else. Life has been quite busy around here lately - do I need to make sure I rest more, or does this sound pretty much normal? (You'd think by baby #6 I'd know it all, right...?)

Could it be braxton hicks/pre-labour Cricket? I'm finding the same as you - can't remember when I started feeling all the different little twinges

I remember having braxton-hicks with the other babies, definitely. But I seem to remember that they were painless. They would always seem to come especially when I was driving. Or maybe that's just when I sat down long enough to notice them.... :)
This is more like an ache that comes for 30-45 sec, and then goes away, and then comes back a few min later, off and on for a while. Irritable uterus? :dunno: I see my midwife tomorrow, so I'll ask her then. Just wanted to know how worried I should be, I guess. :)

That sounds like pre-labour to me - or at least my experience of it. I had quite a lot of prelabour for weeks with DD2 and there were quite a few occasions where they were strong enough that I thought it was the real thing - so much so I'm worried this time about mistaking it for pre-labour when it IS the real thing and not making it to the hospital on time. DD1 was more of a ho hum kind of thing that I could easily ignore.

i just typed a reply and its lost :( so annoying!
I get contractions that take my breath away at night, the only thing besides nifedipine that helps is walking! i was walking at 1.30am last night, tottaly sucks.
This is baby 5 for me, and i did get told that they would drive me crazy by my doc, he was right! im 33 weeks, but have had them since 26 weeks, if they don't ease by walking or changeing possisions, maybe call midwife.

For me day time ones are bearable. I hope you get some relief soon. All the best :)

Thanks for all the replies ladies! I guess it's pretty normal, eh? I'll still mention it to the midwife tomorrow, but I won't worry too much about it. I'll just dig out the hot pack and put my feet up for a little while. (wishful thinking....?)

Well, my midwife was not at all concerned, and I took it easy for a couple of days, and the cramping totally went away. :) Guess I was just a little over done.

Good to hear your feeling better.
Whats your secret to be able to take it easy with 5 kids lol!

I had it pretty early and mentioned it to my OB who said it was completely safe and normal as long as it was not outrightly painful or came with blood. It is just the baby moving lower/growing bigger/the pelvis getting ready etc.

Glad to hear its nothing to be worried about Cricket.