I am 39 weeks pregnant and have not had any contractions..is this normal?
I went to the doctor about two weeks ago and was told that I was having contractions that were 8 minutes apart. I wan't feeling them at all?! Now at 39 weeks, I am so worried that I am going to be the person that has her baby in the shower or in bed because I didn't know that I was in labor. They said that they weren't strong and that I was only dilated a centimeter, but how do I monitor or time contractions that I can't feel? I mean I have had bad lower back pains, vaginal discharge and menstrual cramps the last few days, but nothing of intense pain like everyone describes.

Has anyone had this problem? Do you know when "real" labor starts in this situation? Will I know when I need to go to the hospital? The nurse said that I should be feeling these, and it just has me a little worried.