Labor is a process that begins gradually.
My patients are not pleased when I tell them that the painless Braxton-Hicks contractions don't help open the cervix. They are often confused to learn that contractions do not define labor. Women aren't in labor when they are having painful contractions close to term. Unless the cervix is opening, it's not real labor. These contractions, known as prodromal labor, can be painful and go on for a couple of days.