Early Labor?

I had my 34 week appointment today. My doctor decided to go ahead and check my cervix because I was having contractions this morning that were 5 minutes apart for about an hour. She said I'm already 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. She seemed a little concerned about it, and said that she really wants me to "try to make it at least a two more weeks" before delivering. It surprised me that she thought I might actually go into labor that soon! She told me to come in if I had more than 4-6 an hour consistently that were painful. The contractions I've been having aren't exactly painful, but they are uncomfortable. My abdomen gets really tight, and I have this weird sensation that goes up my spine and around my head. Sometimes it takes my breath away (or makes me feel like I'm not getting enough air or something). I just wouldn't really describe them as painful, though. She said if it's taking my breath away, that counts. She said to take it easy and stay really hydrated and to come in for my next appointment in a week (rather than the normal 2 weeks). I started having contractions again this evening that were pretty close together from about 5:30-8:00 PM. David and I talked about it, but I really didn't want to go to the hospital. I drank two more glasses of water, and they eventually subsided. I think maybe I overdid it yesterday, and that is what caused the contractions today. Yesterday morning, I took Braden to get his haircut, then we went to Wal-Mart for quite a while, then we went to eat lunch at McDonald's (where I drank a Coke). I don't think I had any water all morning. So, I think I just got dehydrated. I'm going to have to make sure and drink lots of water. Anyway... I don't know if I will make it to my due date or not! We'll see!