Anyone had a similar experience?

I am a first time mom, so this process is all very new to me. On Wednesday, I went into OB ER at 6pm with contractions that had been constant and intensifying since 2pm. I thought they were just crazy braxton hicks, but nothing was helping them (drinking/eating, changing positions, going on a walk, taking a bath, belly massage... we tried it all lol)

According to the hospital, they were actual uterine contractions and it took them until about 1am to slow down and not be as intense. They said I was 1 cm, 60% effaced, and -3 for fetal positioning, and they released me still having contractions. They did a fetal fibronectin and it was negative, so that indicates we are highly unlikely to go into full labor for a full week at least.

But my question is: is this the start of labor? Or was this some freak incident? Since then, I have continued to have some contractions that are not as intense or frequent (they were happening every 1.5 minute when we got to the hospital).

I have a virtual visit with my OB on Tuesday, but just curious if anyone has had a similar experience? I am 33w + 5. I also began to loose some of my mucus plug this morning.