How did you know you were in active labour?

Been experiencing cramps and pains off and on throughout tonight, inconsistently, coming, and going. Some less painful some more, babys moving a lot, pressure, low back pain, and it feels better when I walk around. Havent lost my mucus plug but I have had mucus and my water has yet to break. Pains have been 4-5 mins apart and I had one long stretch to rest between 1:50am to now 3:50am. I know every pregnancy is different so I'm finding it very hard to judge this one. False labour??