What the ****?

So its been a few days and yesterday has been quite interesting... having your stomach tighten all day and all night to the point where it stops you dead in your tracks... what is that about? I went to dinner with my husband and son, ate, and left and could barely walk to the car... when I called they said it wasn't a big deal and I was probably experiencing braxton hicks contractions... at 18 weeks? I am convinced that they don't know what they are talking about... this went on all night long... so today I am extremely tired! We have our 18 week check up on Friday... wondering what they will do... also need to tell doctor about the swelling incident this weekend and some of this week... I'm sure they will tell me its fine... I am just a problem pregnant person! At this stage with Mason I was on bedrest... Can I ever just have a normal experience at anything?