After trying for a year my boyfriend and I finally conceived in February of this year. I'm 38 weeks and 5 days today (Friday) and although I'm not having severe abdominal pains they are still there. They come and go. Sometimes they'll come every 2-5 minutes then they will stop for an hour or two. I lost my mucous plug according to the nurses at the labor and delivery. But I was just wondering if anyone would know if maybe I'm starting early labor or is it something else?

Normally once in labor your contractions will come fairly consistently. That's not always the case though, so it could be that you are in early labor.

Do the contractions increase when you walk around, or do they stop? If they stop then it's possible that this is just braxton hicks.

One good thing about pregnancy, most women are pretty certain, when they are in labor, that they are actually in labor. ;)

If you're unsure then call your doctor, that's what he/she is there for, and he/she can better answer your questions then we can as he/she is familiar with your pregnancy.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out. :)

No they pretty much come and go when they want. And it's not braxton hicks I've had braxton hicks during my pregnancy and these are a lot better than them. Lol. It's not just when I'm sitting or laying down they come when I'm staying and they get worse if I do house work like cleaning or something like that.