Lynn,
It's exactly how your gynae describe.. Eventually the pain of the contractions will be quite intense.. The sort of pain when it comes, you really cannot do anything but to focus on it.. While showering before going hospital, when the contractions are happening, all I can do was stand in the shower and grab the tap until the pain subsides.. And if you do time it, it will come regularly.. Like at first every 20 mins, then the rest period will get shorter while the pain period will get longer..