Painful Cramps, normal?

I never had contractions with my first so I dont know exactly what they feel like. I did have braxton hicks around 7 months until I had my son but they were never painful. My dr said I was too "small" to deliver naturally. So c-section it was. Wish I would have fought it. Very saddened that I have had a child and I have no idea what labor feels like.

This is my second pregnancy and since about 10 weeks I have gotten painful strong period like cramps. My dr said it wasnt a big deal as long as it was just a few here and there. If i wasnt bleeding or anything like that I was fine. Im 17 weeks and I have them pretty often now along with some braxton hicks.

Im really afraid the farther along I am they will get worse and possibly have preterm labor? But since I have no idea what a contraction feels like I have nothing to compare these cramps too. They really freak me out sometimes though. Dont remember anything like this with my first. They happen during sex also after I orgasm. So makes even doing that painful. I cant even enjoy it without worrying.