My sister is pregnant and having labor pains and we cant tell if it is Braxton hicks or not. It calms down when she is sitting but gets worse when she walks. She feels like she needs to have a bowel movement but cant this has been going on for five hours straight she is due August 18.

What has her doctors office said, when she called them and advised them?

Sadly there's really no way to determine, online, if this is braxton hicks or preterm labor. When in doubt it's always best to be safe, call her doctor, or go to the hospital. If it is preterm labor there is medication that can stop the contractions so that she can gestate a bit longer. If you wait too long and her water breaks, baby will have to be delivered. Once the water breaks there's a time limit to deliver safely.

Good luck. Hope it's just braxton hicks. :)

This worked for us, but I am not sure it will work at your local hospital. When going to the hospital for a pregnancy related issue, i.e. preterm labour or baby isn't moving, or weird bloody discharge or what not, go right to the maternity ward. They'll do triage there. This will save any wait you might have in the ER of the hospital.

Most ERs are afraid of pregnant women. Go to the L&D where you are supposed to deliver.