Is this Prodromal Labor or something else?

Kristel
I went to L&D last night because I had been contracting with period pains for 27 hours. They hooked me up and saw that I was contracting steadily in the 50-70 range every 2-3 minutes for the 3.5 hours I was there. 
I was checked 2 times for dilation and I was at 1cm, 50% effaced at -3 both times so I was sent home.
They told me to come back when my contractions were "more intense".
What kind of labor is this if it's not intense enough to keep me? What am I supposed to base my labor on if this wasn't what they wanted to see for active labor?
As a FTM, I have no idea what to expect. But I waited an entire day of sheer agony to go in and nothing.