Contractions and more contractions!

So I have been having what I assumed to be Braxton-Hicks contractions since 29 weeks of pregnancy.  Just in the last couple of weeks I had noticed that these contractions had become more frequent and more intense (not painful, just uncomfortable).  At my 35 week appointment I mentioned this to the OB who decided that it was worth looking into a bit more as I had one of these contractions while listening to the baby’s heartbeat.  Come to find out that these contractions were not only practice contractions, but that they were actually doing something to progress me closer to labor.  At that appointment I was found to be one fingertip dilated, 40% effaced, and that the baby had dropped some.  My blood pressure at 106/62 and the baby’s heartbeat at 145 bpm continued to be great!  I also inquired about traveling to Quincy to visit with my family and have another baby shower in the upcoming weeks, which was quickly shot down by the OB who saw me.  Although disappointed, I continued to think that we might still try to make the trip as long as my 36 week appointment went okay.