39 Weeks Pregnant: Cervical Changes & Labor Update - Is It Time?

Question
I am 33yrs old, this is my first pregnancy and I am 39 weeks 4 days along. I went to my check up this morning and was told that I am STILL 50% effaced, soft and closed.This is exactly what I was told 4 weeks ago. My baby is in position and engaged though. My OB has told me that if I will just dialate, then he will break my water to induce. I have already made 3 trips in for false labor, however I am not coming in until several hours of having contractions less than 5 minutes apart, generally 3 minutes apart and lasting for 90 seconds or more. They have followed what I have been told to expect for as much as 13 hours and then immediately stopped. I have also had this go on intermittently for as much as 48 hours, stopping and starting every few hours. So, if these are BH contractions, which I must assume they are as I haven't given birth, what could keep them from being productive when they are of such great frequency and intensity?
Is it normal for cervical changes to stall? At what point does it become necessary to do something about it/ what can be done about it? Also, what is required to complete effacement & begin dialation in a normal progression?  

Answer
Usually, for the first pregnancy, you will not go into active labor until you reach 40 weeks gestational age (or sometimes up to 42 weeks). However, any time you are getting contractions at the level of your belly button that occur every 3 mintues (not four) from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next contraction, and each contraction remains very hard for a rull 45 seconds, then you should be checked. Once you are more than 3cm you will be admitted. Your water cannot be broken until you are somewhat dilated. Usually you will first efface to 100% and then start to dilate. You have still not reached your due date. Please don't worry and don't get frustrated. You will go into labor soon.