Braxton Hicks vs early labour — anyone experienced this?

Hi everyone,
I’m wondering if anyone has experienced going into labour with only Braxton Hicks contractions — so more like discomfort or tightening rather than actual pain — and not realising that labour had started.
I’m currently 39+3 and had a sweep yesterday. I’m already 1 cm dilated, baby is 1/5 engaged, and the midwife said she could feel the baby’s head. My cervix is soft and short, so all the signs seem positive — it feels like we’re just waiting for baby to arrive now.
During my appointment, the midwife also noticed I was having 2–3 contractions (just tightening in my bump) without any pain. She mentioned that some women can go into labour without realising it and advised me to keep an eye on them. She even suggested that what I’ve been feeling so far might be what’s helped me get to this stage.
So I’d love to hear if anyone has had a similar experience — I know it’s not impossible!
Thank you 😊

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This happened to me on Saturday night! I started getting regular braxton hicks feeling contractions at 7pm. Went to bed and woke up at 2:30am. They only started getting stronger with more intense pain about 3:30am so I went to the hospital as they were coming every 2 minutes. Baby girl was born at 5:10am. I only just made it into the birth centre and water in time!
I am a second time mum so not sure if that makes a difference, but that was my experience this time round!

My early contractions felt like mild period cramps, I barely felt them. The only reason I knew they were contractions was because my waters had already broken, so had a clue things were starting. If my waters hadn’t already broken, I’m not sure I would have recognised them as contractions.

Yeah those early contractions can last a couple days...I had 2 days of it where I was also just gaslit by doctors and told it was BH and dehydration 🤣🤣

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