Braxton hicks or signs of early labour?

I’m currently 35 weeks pregnant, almost 36 weeks. I’ve had braxton hicks on and off for the past few weeks and they haven’t been painful just uncomfortable but for this past week I’ve been getting a lot more along with period pain type cramps, they’re happening quite a lot each day but no particular pattern although sometimes they are quite close. Is anyone else experiencing this? My bump keeps going so hard and the cramps are quite painful. Not sure if this might mean baby could arrive sooner rather than later? My last midwife appointment was last week and they confirmed baby is head down and engaged already!