Early stages of labor?

Jessica

Hi ladies I am having noticeable contractions about every 20 minutes in my back. I’m 37 weeks and 3 days and was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced a week ago. Could this be early labor or just Braxton Hicks contractions? My contractions are noticeable but not horribly painful and people keep telling me they aren’t real if they don’t drop me to the floor. Sorry first time mom! I don’t know what is the start of labor!