how do you know it's time?

This might be a dumb question but Other then contractions. What other signs are there that I should go to the hospital? I've been twice already during this pregnancy but it wasn't time and so far I've had 4 four mins apart but I don't want it to be false again I'm 36 +6 last time they were 2 mins apart and I was just dehydrated. Yesterday I went to the doctor and I was only 1 cm so I'm thinking it can't be time.