Hi deedee,
not wanting to make you feel bad but with my first i was having painless contraction s every 5 mins from about 36 weeks and baby was fully engaged from 37 weeks. BUT he wasnt in the correct position so the contractions did nothing as his head wasnt pushed correctly aginst my cervix. This meant that i finally gave birth after my waters were broken for me at 42+3 (17 days over due date)
With my second, i had the painless contractions for 3 weeks before she was finally born at 40+4 (the pains only started less than 2 hours before she was born)
Mine were contractions, rather than braxton hicks, they were regular and 24 hours a day and showed on traces.
Try and get baby to the right position. One way is to sit astride a dining chair but facing the back. This tilts the pelvis. DO NOT try if you have SPD or anything,