Braxton Hicks

I'm 36+4...I've been having Braxton hicks quite a bit today. This is my first baby so I'm not sure if that's normal to have 5+ in a day. Plus I've felt completely different today, belly is super heavy and frequent bathroom visits (not just for #1). I'm guessing this is all my body getting ready for his arrival, but I'm curious if it's common to get a lot of Braxton hicks in a day? Would any of you Moms give me some feedback on your experiences leading up to labor and close to due date?