Labor? Please help

Jessica

So I’m already 1 cm and have a very soft ripe cervix. 38 + 1.

I’ve been having some menstrual like cramps for a few days, all day yesterday they got worse.

Then i had those lightning bolt pains in my cervix and vagina. But constant and not going away.

Woke up in the middle of the night due to contractions.

They aren’t consistent as like every 5 minutes. Maybe three an hour.

Is this the start of labor?

I was induced with my daughter so this is all new to me. I know they are real contractions though. More intense than your typical Braxton Hicks.

Opinions? Is this the beginning?????