How do I tell the difference between Braxton hicks and prodromal labour - 39+4

[BessieBye]

Since about 5pm last night, I’ve been having mild period pain-like cramps, they feel deep inside the pelvis and my tummy does tighten too. They aren’t painful but they do make me want to take a deep breath and focus.

I managed to sleep on and off, pain didn’t wake me up as such but if I woke up and sat up/got up they started again. They last between 30-40 seconds and can range between 6 minutes to 15 minute intervals (I downloaded a contraction tracker app)

This is my second pregnancy, but was induced with my first due to being overdue, so I’m not really sure if this is signs of labour starting on its own or not. I have experienced contractions before, but because they were forced by the drip, they were extremely painful from the get go (and I never made it past 3cm!!!) Not sure if it matters but for reference, my previous birth ended in emergency caesarean

Would like to know anyone else’s experience? I see my midwife on Wednesday for membrane sweep

The only difference I noticed was that braxton hicks pains were all in my stomach, whereas when I was experiencing prodomal labour, the sensation travelled to my back also.
I experienced contractions that were relatively mild (compared to when they ramp up) every 12-15 minutes for a whole week before my twins arrived. I got checked out the first day, and they were picked up on the monitor but no cervixal dilation. When I did go into established labour, it was extremely fast.

I could walk through braxton hicks whereas the other ones I experienced were more intense when I tried moving. But everyone experiences things differently. Please contact your maternity unit and get checked over:)

Hmm I had a lot of BH in both pregnancies. The BH were more like my actual bump going really hard. Like my stomach muscles really tensing. They were uncomfortable and made me feel breathless but not painful. Early labour was more of an internal pain, like strong period pains x