BH vs. Real Thing?

shantalina

Sorry about another BH post, but I'm a FTM and I have nothing to compare this feeling to. 

I know some women say they can't feel their BH contractions at all unless their hand is on their tummy because all the difference is the tightening of the tummy.  I get ones like these, but I also get ones where my tummy tightens up and it gets really really uncomfortable. Not painful at all, just a lot of pressure and sometimes I have to sit down and focus through them.

I guess my question is, do real contractions feel like BH contractions, only more painful? I don't know if I'm feeling BH contractions or mild 'real thing' contractions and I don't know if I should be timing them or not. :S

I don't know if it matters at all but I'm a little over 50% effaced but I haven't dilated at all yet. I know that's no indication of labor, but does that have anything to do with contractions?

TIA