early contractions feel like period cramps a lot of the time, in your lower belly and back usually. however, you may not feel them. I went into labor 3.5 weeks early and I wouldn't have known it if my water didn't break lol.
@jessica3724, in the beginning it kind of feels like your belly is stretching (at least mine did). Sometimes I felt like it was tightening. When I was in labor it felt like I was dying! It hurt so bad from the top of my abdomen to my thighs. I couldn't hold still. It feels like your whole body is tightening all at once