36.5 weeks with nighttime contractions, thinning and 1cm dialated

Just left the OB’s office, I’ve been getting contractions at night where my belly is going as hard as a bowling ball especially under my ribs and I get the feeling I need to poop. But it’s only lasting maybe a max of 15 mins on and off and then it goes away. I get maybe one or two of them throughout the day but more when I walk a lot or have a long day.. I don’t get if this is BH or ‘false labor’ as there is a difference in the two.

Doctor has told me to keep an eye on my nighttime contractions and that my cervix has started thinning and I’m 1 cm dialated.

Is baby on his way soon??! Any other ladies ever had this!?