Pain confusion

Jessi

I'm a FTM and 36 weeks exactly. I had a checkup 2 days ago and was 1 cm. Since that day, I have been having very sharp, intense pain and pressure between my belly button and pubic bone. It only lasts 30 seconds or so and is very irregular. I know my baby is head down. Is the pain just a normal part of his decent or is this contractions? I have no idea what's normal or what to expect.