Difference between BH and early labor ctx?

[Naomismom]

I have been having BH ctx since the 1st trimester ended. They are completely painless and random. They seem to be triggered by tight clothing and being in certain positions.

Now I am 39w2d and analyzing everything. I am 3cm, 50% effaced, and lost my plus (or so I think) yesterday. Now I am just waiting for those contractions. I woke up from a nap a few minutes ago and my "braxton hicks" lasted for about a minute, which is WAAAAY longer than they normally go for. Could I be starting early labor?

My question for you guys is: how can you tell the difference between braxton hicks and early labor contractions?

[clutterbug]

For me, early labour contractions hurt. They are not overly painful or anything, I can continue doing whatever I'm doing during one, but it is much more uncomfortable than a BH (those were uncomfortable but more in an "ugh, I can't breathe cause my tummy is so tight" way). BUT...lots of people have painless contractions in early labour. So this could be it for you, I guess time will tell (not what you want to hear, I know!). Good luck!

[1babysmom]

Well, this has been a new thing for me this time since I only had BH with DD up until induction. This pg I had BH literally right from the start of my pg, and around 37 weeks felt my first REAL ctx!! To me, they start off tightening like a BH would, but then a LOT of pressure builds really low in front and my back usually ends up aching. It doesn't feel like menstrual cramps to me or anything, but moreso like the baby is trying to break through my pubic bone or something (I can't really identify WHERE or WHAT I'm feeling down there, actually). But the level of pain isn't bad...it's uncomfortable and definitely noticable, but I wouldn't consider it painful. More like a strong "ache", maybe?

[Beeblebrox]

My early labor contractions felt deep. That's the best way I can explain it. It was a new deeper contraction from deep within side of me instead of just the tightening I get on the surface for my BH. I could feel them from the inside of my vagina almost, if that makes sense.

[SumnerRain]

I know the ctx I was having last night were NOT just BH. They sound a lot like the ctx described here. Not bad enough that I could not walk/talk through them, but to the point where I wanted to pause, concentrate, and rock.

Then they petered out. The urge to pick up was very cool though, I have never had the psychological PUSH to clean like that before.

The strange part was, my belly never seemed to soften. It was like a 90 MINUTE long BH with waves of a deep, cramping sensation rising and falling every 5 minutes or so lasting for about a minute. I did not have that with my other two, so I have no clue if that is normal at all.