contractions but sent home

(Had sweep yesterday morning) Woke up 5am with period type cramps, didn't manage to get back to sleep. Started coming regular at 6.30 so started to time. Was then every 4-5 minutes and quite intense. Went to hospital, got checked by midwife, only 2cm dilated. Cervix 0.5 long. Said they would likely see me this evening and sent me home as I would be more comfortable. Contractions still coming strong as ever but getting more intense. Unsure when to bite the bullet and give up trying to cope with the pain and just go back. I know these pains are nothing on what I will experience when I'm in active labour but as I'm a FTM I'm absolutely clueless on what to do. I'm just about coping through the agony!