How can you tell the difference between Braxton Hicks n actual contractions?

BH are usually shorter and don't get more intense with time. BH is just when your stomach tightens, but it's not really painful. Contractions are painful and increase in intensity and nothing you do like changing positions will make it stop

@sarahb518, but contractions feel kindve like your insides are being ringed like a towel?

Umm... That's not really how I would describe it. But everyone is different. For me it started out feeling like I was really constipated (that type of a stomach ache) and as they progressed it just like extremely painful period cramps to me. By the end, it was just an excruciating pain that surged through my body. (Not trying to scare you or anything). But I also had extremely fast labors (both times I was only at the hospital for 10 mins or less before I delivered), and both of my labors were really only about 45-90 mins (most of which was spent in the car driving to the hospital). If you think you are having contractions, time them and if they are getting closer together, then L&D and see what they say. Usually if it's just BH you will only have like 4-5 in an hour. More than that, it is probably real contractions. @itsdestyn

I had similar pains this morning at 9:45am kindve like stomach ache pains then the pains would come in n out n it's been doing it since... But they still aren't that close together to me. There's sometimes where it's back to back but I had that pain about 10 minutes ago and haven't felt anything yet.

@sarahb518,

@itsdestyn, that's how it felt for me when I had back contractions, while the pain was in my back, my stomach felt like my insides were being squeezed

Just keep timing them and if you have more than 4-5 in an hour call L&D

@itsdestyn,