What are true labor contractions?

palma44

I have been diagnosed with an "Irritable uterus" so I have been having braxton hicks contractions since around 20 weeks. I am 31 weeks tomorrow so they have gotten significantly worse the further along I am...these are the hardening and tightening or the stomach that isn't painful but and be a bit uncomfortable. I was admitted to L&D 2 weeks ago for 4 days due to preterm labor and told to come back when contractions are painful. So my questions is, what are the painful contractions like, where will I feel them, are they the same as the braxton hicks tightening that starts to hurt? or are they more in the lower stomach like the period cramps and just become unbearable? I am having pain in my lower stomach, nothing unbearable though. What is the pain I should be looking out for? I'm sure that I will know it when I have it but I just want to know what it is I need to look for!