There are no silly questions

1.
baby engaging in the pelvis
runs of braxton hicks...uterus warming up for the big event
cervix softening, and perhaps a show...mucos blob, which may be clear, pink or blood stained (can occur up to 2 weeks before labor starts)
pelvic heaviness...like the onset of a period
diarhoea and vomiting (some women think they have gastro)...body purging itself
nesting behaviour...preparing your labor nest, babes room

2.
call the hospital when ur waters break...but this only occurs in about 10% of women before labor starts.
they will ask u to put a pad on and lay down for a bit (if it is your waters when u stand up again u will get another gush) and ask if u can still feel the baby moving, color the water (should be clear)...sometimes they may ask you to pop in so they can listen to the babies heart rate and then send you home again
u can stay at home with ur waters broken, but most ob's will want to kick start things if nothing has happened within 24 hrs (to reduce risk of infection)

3.
most women...if not poked and prodded...will labor with their waters intact...the waters naturally breakng in active labor, anywhere from 6-10cms. Some waters dont break and the baby is born in the sack...this is good luck and called 'caul"...I have only ever seen it once
laboring with your waters intact cushions the effect of the babies head pushing on the cervix...making the contractions easier to deal with, as they are not as intense

4.
you go into hospital when u want to

and you are right...listen to your body, and be guided by your instincts

hope this helps

xx yogababy