contractions that just stop!

DD is today. Past 3 days for about 6-7 hours at a time I have had contractions about 7 mins apart continuously then BAM they just stop. They are actually painful today so I thought it was a go but I laid down for a while and now they're gone again :( Been losing my mucus plug since last Monday, had my bloody show, loose stools, everything but continued contractions! Anyone else or advice to keep them going?