Not in all cases. Contractions (true ones) are generally painful and it feels like your entire stomach gets hard everywhere. You can experience BH contractions as well and those don't hurt. They kinda feel like a Charlie horse, but in your stomach. I had contractions with my pregnancy though and I didn't know that's what they were (mine were BH) and when I was in labour, I had contractions in the front that hardly hurt.
but you would know right? like i would know it was contractions right?
ive never experienced what you describe but contractions feel a lot like period cramps.. you'll feel a portion of your belly harden like a rock. more than 5 contractions in an hour warrant a call to your OB. my BH contractions started at 19 weeks and i was admitted at 34 weeks overnight for preterm contractions that were every 2-3 minutes apart.