when do women generally exp. the "braxton hicks" and how can you determine the difference between those as opposed to the real contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions - BabyCenter

How to recognize these painless uterine contractions that happen throughout pregnancy. www.babycenter.com/0_braxton-hicks-contractions_156.bc -

i started having braxton hicks at like 18 weeks to me they felt like a really sharp pain in my vagina and sometimes my stomache wold harden for a few seconds

Trust me You'll KNOW! LOL!

I experienced my first one at 17 weeks 2 days. I get a slight cramp with pressure and then my uterus/stomach gets extremely hard for a few seconds and then it all goes away.

You can have Braxton Hicks your entire pregnancy. The difference is that they are not consistent an usually pretty gentle. Its just like your body practicing. Wtih real labor there can be all kinds of different symptoms. 1st would be that they are consistent. They may start out like every 15 minutes, then they get faster like every 12, 10, 8, 6,....And they are harder..they squeeze harder..Some other symptoms would be that you loose your little mucous plug, your water breaks, your body may begin to empty out..like you throw up or you know the other end, back pain....My prego bible was "What to expect when expecting" Get it its a great tool.

If they go away or stop when you change positions ( lying down then walking for example) they are hicks. True labor gets longer and stronger regardless of what you do. Braxton hicks vary in length and frequency. If you're not sure call your doctor. I'd rather go to the hospital and know than stay home and have a baby in the car. LOL