Dilating without contractions?

I recently came across a post online that asked the same question. Is it possible to have your cervix dilate without you feeling any contractions? The last time my doctor checked me, he said I was close to a 4. But I haven't had any super painful contractions. More of a tight pressure and crampy feeling that won't go away. Nothing to extreme that takes my breath away. So could it be possible that that's what I'm going through?