Which Type Of Contraction Should I Look For?

I don’t know if this is weird or normal but, I think I’ve experienced two different types of real contractions?

At 34 weeks I was showing contractions on my NST that I couldn’t feel. Later that night, I was admitted to L&D for almost going into preterm labor.

The contractions for that took my breath away, tightened my stomach, and just felt like everything was tightening. Not really any pain, but they were enough to get me 70% effaced. I’ve had these pretty often since.

Now, at 37+ weeks, I will get at least one contraction a day that feels like super strong period cramps. They don’t really take my breath away, I don’t think my stomach tightens, but it does radiate to my back. These are more painful.

Could these both be considered real contractions or is one more concerning than the other?