A few times my tummy has become very tight, hard and uncomfortable like LO is about to burst out. I do get occasional period like pains too

I'm due on Monday and braxton hicks are definitely gettin stronger...and very uncomfortable. Since last night they've been accompanied by a weird dragging sensation that can sometimes stop me in my tracks!
Are they supposed to feel painful towards the end?

BH's are natures way of preparing and practicing with the real thing.

Early BH's are the uterine contractions that exercise the uterus and 'tone' it as it grows big around the baby. Some women get them, some don't... it's ok if you don't .

Later BH's, especially those AFTER baby has started to engage, help not only tone the uterus, but prepare the cervix.

Baby's head is what really does a lot the effacing and dilating of the cervix, because the head is engaged and BH's are helping the baby's head act as a type of 'battering ram' (as it does in labor) to relax and stimulate that cervix to "do it's thing". The period type pains associated with BH's is those lower muscles of the uterus being stretched and toned, and the cervix getting a workout too.

As with conception, a whole miriad of biological triggers have to take place just right to signal that final "Ok, I'm done cooking, I want to be BORN!" And the cervix and it's status helps that along.

So regular 'tightening' BH's with no pain are probably either just uterine 'toning', or early cervical work (where baby's head doesn't fully act on the cervix during a BH... but might a little). Other later term BH's that have some period pains, and where baby has dropped, are probably getting that cervix ready for the big day .