I had a lot of cramps. My ankles became swollen. My blood pressure was higher than usual. My water didn't break until I was 7 cm during a dilation check at the hospital.
I felt ansty and my contractions were like a wave of tightness (not painful at first) that started at the bottom and went to the top of my belly, a bit above my belly button. I'd think of it as waves of the beach to be honest.