Contractions or Braxot hicks?

[Firsttimemum090]

I'm 30 weeks with my first, been having what I thought were Braxto Hicks for sev weeks now. Feels like my belly gets tight and hard and shrinks round the baby, doesn't hurt, just notice it after sex or randomly, but only once or twice a week. Last few days been having this with movements (certain positions when standing up, lifting things, walking quickly)-is this Braxto Hicks or contractions? Had about 4 or 5 today, not sure if I should ring the labour ward or wait until morning.

They're Braxton hicks hun especially as theyre is not real pattern to them.
Braxton hicks are Painless tightenings. Am also getting them.
X

Thanks defnotunique. Forgot to mention these are a bit uncomfortable? Not quite painful but I do recognise they are there and have to stop what I'm doing.

My Braxton Hicks were painful, I felt them all over my stomach. Similar to what you described. They could last for 10 minutes. When I went into labour they were less painful initially, and just in my lower stomach, the spot you get period pains. They were shorter pains that gradually got worse and covered more area. The big contractions felt like a painful dial being turned up then down again.