Other than some excruciating gas pains but I am 99% sure I'm having something now

So I apologize in advance for asking a question asked a hundred times but can't find good clear answers to now,

How do you really know the difference between BH and real contractions? I'm having something , they're squeezing my whole belly it seems and they are definitely so uncomfortable that they can be considered slightly painful. (Or maybe I'm a wuss idk that's a possibility too)

I've had 3 since in the last 3 hours and I know to try and time them in case they're the real thing. But as a FTM at 40+4 and this being the first time I've felt something like THIS I'm having a shit ton of anxiety that this might be it

So sorry for the long post - like I said I'm kinda starting to freak out a little.

Did I mention we're in the middle of a snow storm ???