Everything is gonna be alright...

I woke up very early this morning, wide awake, at 5:50 AM.

I felt fine; hips were sore, but nothing out of the ordinary. I didn't puke!!! (OK so that's not ordinary).

I rested for an hour and got up, got ready and then at around 8 AM I started having contractions. I've been experiencing some Braxton-Hicks for a while now so I am used to the feeling, but these were coming on every 5-6 minutes. I ignored them, sipped water and finished getting ready. On the way to work they were about 8 minutes apart with the distraction of driving, but they were still just as strong. Some hurt, some were just mild and some I couldn't tell were happening except for the fact that my uterus would get hard, but they just stayed.

I had a meeting at work in the morning and tried more water but they were just so bothersome and regular now at about 10 minutes apart by 11 AM that I called the doctor.

Now like I said, I'm used to the B-H variety of irregular contractions but these were reallll regular although nothing else that is disconcerting was happening (back pain, leaking of fluid, etc.) along with them. So when I called and the nurse answered, she asked if any of the disconcerting things were happening just like I expected. Then she asked how regular they were and how long I'd been having them, "10 minutes apart now, they were 5 min at 8 AM," I said.             

"You've been having regular contractions for 3 hours? Why didn't you call sooner?! Can you be here in 20 minutes?"

Definitely did not expect that reaction. I expected every other speech I'd gotten about watching the disconcerting things, drinking water and lying down. I told my boss I had to go and got my butt to the Doctor. I could tell she was busy that day but she still took her time, made sure I didn't have any more questions before leaving, and made sure that everything was OK and that I knew it was so.
"It's like a Werther's Original down there," she described my cervix after checking it. I laughed out-loud but I knew exactly was she meant; hard and closed with a small dimple in the middle... "everyone knows what that looks like," she explained. It's true!

 She also complimented me on my super-fuzzy-stirrups socks that I carry with me for just such an occasion. I love my backup doctor; if anything happens I'm glad I found her.
They monitored my contractions for around an hour and confirmed that they were happening and they were regular (every 10 minutes!) and that baby was also doing fine through them.

I knew it would be OK but it's good to be validated by someone "official" when you're freaked out!
Any pregnant mamas that EVER have any concerns, do not hesitate to at least call. If they refuse to see you and you're still worried, just SHOW UP. What could have been preterm labor was nothing, albeit strange, and I'm glad I went!