It is not uncommon at all to feel menstrual like cramps throughout pregnancy. The uterus is basically a muscle and designed to contract. As with any muscle it resists stretching. The slow but steady growth of the fetus subtly over time enlarges the uterus and during that process the smooth muscle will contract to one degree or another.
Early in pregnancy I get asked all of the time if it means there is an increased in miscarrying. As long as there is no bleeding it feel it is nothing to worry about. Later in pregnancy there is a concern as to whether the cramping represents labor. It is very common to have a lot of uterine cramping at about 6-7 months and continuing through pregnancy. A woman who has had a child already will experience this more. These are called Braxton-Hicks contractions named after an English physician. They are harmless.
I would say the best way to determine if these false labor contractions (Braxton-Hicks) are truly false labor is to trust your instincts. Almost all women know for sure when real labor starts. It is much more painful, more regular and over several hours will progress and become more painful and the contractions closer together while maintaining their regular frequent nature.
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