I had my baby at 38+5.
If you want to make sure they are really contractions take some benadryl (that's what labor and delivery told me before I went in)
If they are really contractions they won't go away and you don't be able to sleep.if its false labor the pain will go away.. I tried it and my pain got worse. Good luck
38 weeks as well feeling same cramping like period cramps. It could be Braxton could be early labor I'm still waiting to find out myself, I had worst sleep last night as the pain would get intense then back down a lil all night over and over woke up this morning and same thing still happening. Been battling this since Friday night different type of contractions off and on. Just waiting to see how this goes.
You will know for sure when it's real. Yes, your stomach will tighten. It will be painful, and will become regular no matter if you change positions or hydrate.