Lightening crotch or contractions?

Alexis

So around 28 weeks I went to hospital because of kidney stones and they hooked me up to monitors and saw that I was having slight contractions. That entire time I thought I was having lightening crotch because it wasnt painful or a regular pattern, just slightly uncomfortable. Well past few days I've been having this uncomfortable feeling again. How do you tell the difference? I'm 35 weeks and 3 days and dont know if its lightening crotch or contractions. It's not painful or regular 😬😬 I've been staying hydrated and not over doing daily activities so i am confused