Early labor contractions?

My first started at a high pain level contractions at 40weeks exactly and still ended up in a c section. This time I’m 37 weeks and 3 days with some very mild contractions but consistent. Is this still early labor? I was at. 1.5 cm yesterday at noon with diarrhea and loss of appetite. Ob said my cervix was soft but still pretty high. Today I woke up feeling like I’m carrying a bowling ball in my pelvis with pressure on my cervix. I can still function just fine though. Also I’m starving. Lol.

Trying for a vbac btw but I’m also not trying to have a bathtub baby this time around 🤣