Contractions?

I know contractions differ from woman to woman but I'm wondering if anyone can enlighten me!? This is my second baby but i waa induced with my first due to medical neccessity so never experienced natural or early labour.. It was straight to intense unbearable contractions. I have had a few sharp pains on my right hand side of my bump that radiated down to the bottom of my bump and across then stopped. I haven't timed them yet or anything, it's only happened 2-3 times in thw last half hour but makes me catch my breath! Could it be early contractions? I'm so impatient, i know at this point it's just waiting for minute long contractions a few minutes apart i just wanted some experiences i guess of what to look for!