ok ladies, early labor or just normal symptoms?

I'm 38 weeks, last week I was 3cm and 50% effaced. about 4 hours ago I experienced what's called lightening crotch. a little bit later started cramping pretty bad, I had to sit and catch my breath. but, the cramping stopped and I started getting pressure along with my belly hardening every 15 minutes (just now started to get to 10 minutes apart). it's not painful. i also have constant pressure in my rectum area like I gotta go to the BR but I don't. i called the on call doctor and she said wait and see if they become 5 minutes apart, bloody show or if pain starts but I'm 45 minutes away so I'm getting a little scared and don't want to blow this off if it's true labor. any thoughts? did you go through this and it turned out to be labor or just the normal "my body getting ready"