Contractions???

I always heard that contractions felt like bad period pains, at least to start off with. I've been having cramping achy pains all day that have only gotten worse in intensity, but aren't consistent. I feel more discomfort than pain, although that is slowly changing. Could these (finally) be contractions?? They don't feel at all like period pains , not even similar, but my stomach goes rock solid. I'm also 41 weeks