FTM and please don’t say “oh you’ll know” because some people truthfully don’t.

A little background, I have a high pain tolerance. I had kidney stones and passed them without any pain meds or medical intervention....I’m just a grin and bear it type of person.

So I went to the doctor for a normal checkup. They asked if I had contractions. I told them I didn’t think so but I told the nurse that I had some cramping like feelings. Kind of like in the same area you have period cramps but they aren’t painful. I asked if those were contractions or Braxton Hicks or just stretching. She said if I was contracting my stomach would be very hard and tight...sometimes I get the cramping but no rock hard stomach or tightness. I’m going on 38 weeks...I have no idea what it is. Is it contractions or just stretching?