preterm labour?

okay I'm worried & scaring myself but how do you tell between real contractions & Braxton hicks?

someone said real contractions start from the bottom & Braxton start from top... is this true?

also what are other signs of preterm labour?

help me ease my mind

*need to edit my post, if it comes off wrong. not my intention. *

I should have said this is my 9th pregnancy. I had 4 vaginal births & my last 2 were scheduled c-sections. This is why I can't remember how or where real contractions start.

I've had contractions that hurt couldn't walk or talk (16/15 years ago), had contractions while I was shopping (was 6/7cm - 6 yrs ago), had contractions while I was on facebook updating & chatting til I was pushing (5yrs ago)...

I've had Braxton hicks & period cramps hurt more than real contractions. or maybe I just have a high pain tolerance. idk.

So if anyone has gone thru labour, do you remember how/where they started from? Bottom of your uterus/stomach or top of uterus/stomach?