Braxton hicks ur stomach will just tighten and then release. They are most of the time just uncomfy but can hurt. They are random and will ease when resting or changing positions. Those are practice contractions. Real contractions start off uncomfy and and you are able to time them. The closer together they get the more intense they become. It can be ur stomach get all hard and tight. Or seem like strong period cramps. With my first son my contractions seemed like very strong period cramps. I hope that helped