What are the signs of labour?

Rosie

I'm 36 weeks pregnant & this is my first baby.

Toay I've been getting really bad stomach ache/ cramping every half hour since I got up.

Sometimes it's really bad & others it's just uncomftable.

It goes right across my stomach.

I'm just wondering if this could be signs of early labour or braxton hicks?

What are the signs of labour?.. is it basically this but dosn't go away & just gets worse?