Braxton Hicks contractions getting intense - when should I worry?

If they're getting painful enough that you can't walk or talk through them, or if they're coming regularly every few minutes for an hour or more, that's when you call your doctor or head to the hospital - don't wait. Braxton Hicks are usually just uncomfortable tightening, not actual labor, but intense ones can sometimes signal dehydration or other stuff that needs checking. Real labor contractions get closer together, stronger, and don't stop when you move around or change position, whereas Braxton Hicks tend to ease up. When in doubt, reaching out to your OB is never the wrong call - they'd rather hear from you than have you stressed at home.

The tricky part is that "intense" is different for everyone - what matters more is whether they're actually painful or just uncomfortable, and whether they stop when you change position or drink water. True labor contractions don't ease up like that, so if yours do, you're probably fine, but call your doctor if you're worried or if anything feels genuinely wrong rather than just annoying.