Painful Braxton Hicks

Lost the plug about 26 hours ago and have been having period-like contraction cramps for about 18 hours now, getting more intense.

I don’t think it’s real labour though - just the baby dropping into the pelvis. It’s not very nice though and a little exhausting - cramps coming every 8-10 mins or so now and I’ve barely slept.

Did anyone else have a long pre-labour period? I read here about women having contractions and cramps for DAYS and I’m hoping someone can tell me how they got through it because I’m feeling like a big wuss. Could deal with the pain if it was “real” but the thought of days of this is a big daunting.