I would have to say that my contractions were definitely like PMS pain, but almost "satisfying" (weird way to describe it, I guess). I knew that they were working, and actually doing something, even though they hurt, whereas BH and PMS just hurt for no good reason.
About timing, you are supposed to time from the beginning of one contractions to the beginning of the next.
By the way, Anna, how's it going? Sounds like you were really in labour, so I hope all is well!