Serious question

When ive asked this before people look at me like im clueless, well when it comes to this i am. Its my first pregnancy. My sister in law never could feel her contractions when she went into labor due to her having serious peroid cramps before getting pregnant so thats what it felt like and the dr told her they were braxton hicks if they felt like that, however they werent. Same goes for me. Ive been doing the nipple stimulation every hour today and walked alot and took my primrose oil. My stomach will tighten up so hard i cant move and it just feels like cramps. So my question is... Are these the real deal contractions?? Should i start timing. Im due anyday now.