When your getting braxton hicks and contracting....?

I'm 36 weeks pregnant and for the last week, i've been getting shooting pains from the top of my pelvic bone down through my vagina, soreness and cramps where my doctor said the head is (right above my pelvic bone), and i can't tell the difference between braton hicks and real contractions, but i know i've been getting one of the two. Baby is still very active. I wanted to know what all this means?