I was actually going to post a topic about this too as I have been getting the same pains, my whole tummy goes from softish to rock hard in a split second, going from the top of my belly to the bottom and oh my god do I scream in pain! I also put it to a midwife today, and she said it was braxton hicks, I thought I had them with my 1st but if this is braxton hicks then I definitely didnt! They are really painful. It was waking me in my sleep last night at 4 in the morning I woke up screaming my poor hubby thought I was in labour and panicked a bit I think. But nothing afterwards that was regular so I didnt let it concern me too much. Good luck with it I dont think theres alot you can do for it either but Im pretty sure its normal