at 32 weeks I had started contractions, my stomach would tighten up so bad so I went in to the hospital and they said I was having a contraction every here and there not consistent, so they said it was braxton hicks and due that I was a little dehydrated. ok the next weekend at 33weeks I had cramped all evening and into the night Tylenol wasn't easing up my cramps felt like I needed to lay on a heat pad during period, couldn't sleep just got worse. I tried laying on my side, drink water, my aunt told me to get up and move around of braxton hicks they will go away these did not go away they got worse with every step I took. so went back to the hospital and sure enough I was having contractions 4-5mins apart but wasn't dilated as like I wasn't the week before. I had to have 2 rounds of meds to stop my contractions. Being a ftm I'm scared since I'm having contractions and not dilating I'll have a rough labor. My mom was in labor 20hrs with me and she never got over a 4 in dilation.