consistent painless contractions

 Okay, yesterday starting at 5pm I noticed that I kept having what felt like Braxton hicks contractions. They were painless, but would tighten my tummy up so much it was rock solid. Now I've had them before and didn't think much of them until they kept happening, one right after the other. And I thought how unusual, but I decided to wait it out and see if they go away. 2 hours pass and I'm still having them regularly. So by then I decided to lay down and start timing them. From 7pm to 8pm they were coming every 2-3 minutes and lasting about 30-40 seconds. I read up on ways to try and make them stop, so I got up, walked around, took a warm bath, then got in bed, drank lots of water and laid on my left side. Still having them. Finally I just went to bed. Every time I woke up to pee, there they were, still happening!! I thought this is nuts. Woke this morning, they are much slower, but they were still happening! So I called labor and delivery. Talked with a nurse and she said since I'm 36+3 they wouldn't stop me if I were to be in labor, but to just wait the contractions out, and to come in if they become painful. A week ago I was checked and dilated 3 cm and 80% effaced. 

Now, my question for you guys is... have you been through something similar? If so were the contractions helping you to dilate? Did you end up going into labor shortly after having these kind of contractions? What is going on?! 

Hahah just wanted to say thanks for reading! And I appreciate you're time :) 

Happy holidays!