What was it like?

So I’m a ftm. I’m 36 weeks and I’m just wondering what the beginning of your labor was like? Like how did you know you were in labor before your water broke? I’ve been having cramps in my back and the radiate the front of my stomach and they last about 2-3 minutes. They happened all night and now into this morning. I had a doctors appointment 2 days ago and was 1cm dilated and 50% thinned out(I know it can mean nothing). I just don’t want to have to drive all the way to the hospital to be sent back home(my hospital is kinda far away)