Hi David....Braxton-Hicks contractions are perfectly normal as they happen in most women.  For some, they are quite uncomfortable and may send the woman to the hospital in false labor many times toward the end of her pregnancy.  Some women experience them very mildly.  I, myself, had them very strongly during one of my pregnancies, and this daughter "arrived" over a week past my due date.

I looked up the best article to give you a total picture of the process.  I hope this helps to ease your concern:

http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/true-false-labor

With agape love,

Arlene