Dumb question

So this is my 3rd pregnancy, but my last two, I never experienced BH or contractions until I was in actual labor. This pregnancy I've been experiencing BH for about a month now, but these past 2 days, especially today, I think I've been having actual contractions. But how do you know the difference? The ones before were not painful and not consistent, just belly tightening. Yesterday they were about every 10-15 minutes, but not painful. Today they have been pretty painful but not consistent🙄.

So question is:

BH= painful but not consistent; and

Contractions=consistent but they don't have to be painful?

Or is all of what I'm having just BH? The ones over the past 2 days feel different than the ones I've experienced earlier this month. I'm not worried I'm in labor right now or anything, I'm just curious.

I know I was having contractions yesterday because I was at my NST appointment and the RN confirmed they were contractions, but I guess today is throwing me off since they are pretty painful but not consistent like yesterday's.

Also I'm a little over 35 weeks.

Aside from these confusing BH/contractions, I've been having BM like crazy and today I am so SO nauseous. Bleh.

How I currently feel⬆️😂