Is this the start of labour?

okay so here’s my story

I’m 38.2 today

At 36.0 weeks I was told I was 3 cm dilated

37.0 weeks I was 3 cm and 50% effaced

I lost my mucous plug(huge brown glob and then mucous stained with blood streak) this week

Yesterday I had ALOT of yellow mucous like my plug but it had a bad odor. It continued all night. I’ve had contractions on and off the past 2 weeks but last night from 3 am to noon I had pains 3-4 mins apart and severe back pain. I didn’t sleep.

I went to the doctor today to get checked for infection and because of my pains. They said I was not in labour but close I guess and did swabs.

So 3 days ago at my 38 week apppintment I asked for a membrane sweep. My doctor agreed but it was quick (5 seconds maybe) didn’t hurt and I did not bleed or have any cramp or pain.

Today when they swept my membranes at the hospital it HURT. I felt her hand literally doing it and around my amniotic sac. I bled on her glove . She said my cervix was very thinned.

I’m bleeding lightly still (this was 4 hours ago) and after the sweep I bled a lot. Like a period . And had very severe cramping , back pain, and just had diarrhea.

What is going on and is this labour approaching !!? I’m 23 and this is my first time I’m so confused

I never know when to go to the hospital bc my pains come and go so much and sometimes I can’t even talk through them but then they stop