I am 37 weeks pregnant and not really having any strong contractions, haven't even felt braxton hicks often, but I went to the doctor this past Thursday and my doctor said I was 1 cm. I do feel menstrual like cramps, and was told by a friend that she had this same feeling without strong contractions and when she went to the doctor she was 8 cm. This is my second child so my cervix should dilate faster and easier this time... right?. Also I have been seeing thicker mucus with little blood spots and my vagina hurts so bad I can barely wipe when I use the bathroom. Has anyone had a similar experience, or can offer any advice

Sounds to me like your body is gearing up for labor. I had these symptoms one week-24 hours before my second son was born. Some women don't have a lot of pain when in labor(as your friend.) However, 1 cm isn't that far dilated as of yet, so its understandable that you wouldn't be having very strong contractions yet. I was at a 1 cm with both of my sons for an entire month before they were born. Once you start to have some show(small amounts of pink discharge) it's a pretty sure thing that labor will be starting soon. Good luck

You just never know how things will go. I went in to labor 5 weeks early with my first. I had a lot of mucous from Sunday until my water broke Wed night/Thurs morning. Wed night I had a lot of pressure like I really had to urinate and couldn't hold it. Once I went to the bathroom I felt fine. Before I knew it my water broke and I was already 5cm dilated. You may want to go and get checked out. Better to go on a false alarm rather than wait too long!

I had thick white mucus for about 3-4 weeks before my baby was born. I felt a lot of pressure and pain when I sat down. I was also 1 cm for about 3-4 weeks. I was induced for being one week past my due date so it did not mean anything for me. But EVERY pregnancy is different so you could go any day.