More intense frequent painful braxton hicks contractions is it true that the more you have the closer labor is?

38 weeks and 4 days pregnant. i have been having more frequent very painful braxton hicks contractions. is it really true that the more intense and more painful braxton contractions you have the closer you are to labor? i have also had loose bowel movements today with alot of nausae(in the last 3 days) with alot more pressure in my pelvic/rectum area. could i be going soon or should i just give up on hoping that she(my baby) will come out soon.. any suggestions on how to get labor started? i have tried , spicy foods, pineapple