braxton Hicks or real contractions?

[Vonna07]

Ok this may be a little long but I can't seem to get anyone to answer my question in a way that I won't be paranoid. So I am 36+6 2cm dilated with my 3rd child I have never had the chance to actually experience going into labor on my own because the hospital in my city always induce so that Dr can get the money, with this pregnancy I chose a different hospital that's about 45 min away so I could have the chance to go through everything, this hospital don't believe in inducing if there isn't a problem the longest they will let you go is 42 weeks. Now my question is how can you actually tell the difference between braxton hicks and real contractions I know that braxton hicks are irregular but as far as a pain level how can you tell the difference especially if you're in the early stages of labor I would hate to be having real contractions and not realize it knowing it'll take a while to get to the hospital and I dilate quick. Can anyone help me understand?

[Vonna07]

Ok thank you ladies this actually helped alot now maybe I won't be so paranoid with every single pain I feel

[tink0428]

Everyone is different and feels things differently but with my last pregnancy bh are irregular and your lower stomach tightens  but if you move or start walking or drink water they go away actual contraction squeeze a lot tighter I would look at my stomach and saw the outline of my baby with the contractions and they are regular you should be able to time them once you see a pattern go to the hospital since you live so far away.  Good luck honey

[kim_1720]

Everyone is different but for me my BH are in my lower abdomen. Feels like someone is squeezing me really tight. My belly gets hard. But for me to know the difference between BH and the real ones, i try to switch positions. If im sitting and having BH, ill stand. If they go away then its not the real thing. When having real contractions they wont go away no matter which way you move, sit, stand, or turn. Good luck, hope this helped.