This is my first pregnancy. I'm 38 weeks and 5 days. I woke up shortly before 2 this morning with strong enough contractions I was having to use some breathing techniques. They were happening pretty consistently for about 3 1/2 hours at 9 minutes apart lasting about 60-70 seconds. It's now 4 hours later and they have fallen back quite a bit, happening every 14 minutes for only about 45 seconds. Is this a sign of beginning stages of labor? My doctor is out of town until the 2nd and he has no other docs/midwives in his office. Should I go to L&D or just wait until my contractions are consistently 5 minutes apart before I head that way??