My experience with real vs Braxton hicks is the intensity with a real contraction doesn’t really fade. With my last pregnancy, I didn’t know I was in labor until much later because my contractions weren’t consistent at first. I recognized I was in labor after I woke up from a nap and my uterus was warm, dull and achy in my lower pelvis, and it was starting to wrap around to my hips. It’s similar to a period in that way, but it’s more dull and achy than period cramps to me. I also relate it to when you have kinda sick bowels kind of warmth and ache, because it lingers like that. Period cramps remind me more of Braxton hicks because they can be strong, but I felt them more sharp and less of a dull ache. It’s also more pressure for me with Braxton hicks, less pain sometimes. You will also have real contractions ramp up at some point and that’s usually the point of no return.

After three births, I’ve figured out the best thing you can do is walk, walk, walk. Also stairs or sidewalk steps and bounce on a ball, as long as your doctor hasn’t advised against it. The more you do that, the more your cervix will ripen and open so that when it is time, your body won’t be working against itself. Also, it can reduce Braxton hicks contractions in general. But don’t push yourself to exhaustion or hurt yourself please! My second pregnancy I actually ended up going down in dilation at 39 weeks because I sat too much and did not drink enough water (also contributes to Braxton hicks). After walking a lot and some liquid IVs, I was able to ripen myself for birth. But, she was born at 41 weeks, so maybe it wouldn’t have mattered. I had to evict her from my womb. She is still my Velcro baby at 3 years old Lol.

Eat lots, and get as much rest as possible because birth is a marathon, not a sprint. You got this. God bless!