Advice on contractions

[xxxslm]

I'm now 37 wks as a ftm and haven't taken birthing classes. I'm starting to have questions and wish I went to some type of class. I'm not too sure of what real contactions will feel like. Are they just braxton hicks and the pain come along with the harding of my abdomen? Or does my abdomen harden and I get low pelvic pain? What is the pain like? Menstrual cramps? Any advice is welcome, I'd really appreciate it!

Also timing contractions; do you keep track of how long each contraction is and how frequent they happen?

[mummygulli]

I never attended any classes with my first...i went into hospital 7cm dilated and had my daughter very fast without any drugs as there wasnt anytime. I knew i was in labour because the pains like the name. A contraction gripping throbbing pain and as they got frequent i knew. This is my second im 33weeks so far. No classes again lol but i just believe in listen to you body...stay calm its got to happen one way or another the more stressed you get the harder labour for you and baby...and focus all your attention on what the midwife tells you to do. You will be fine

[fleuar]

You time how long the contractions are and how far apart.  I just have an app on my cell to make it easier. Real contractions feel kind of like cramps but worse. Braxton Hicks will stop after a while and shouldn't be at regular intervals. They say braxton don't hurt but sometimes mine do. My mom told me with my first child that if you are doing something like taking and then have contractions you stop mid sentence because of the pain. But my water broke first then my contractions started so I knew for sure I was in labor.

[Jonesy2015]

Contractions are so much more different than anything I have ever felt. I was induced so I was told mine were worst than normal contractions. I got the epidural so it helped during it all. I'm going to try to go more natural this time but if I can't oh well lol.