I'm due on the 26th(: pretty much it feels like period cramps but on a whole other level. At first you might think it's baby pushing cause your stomach feels really hard but it's the muscles contracting(plus baby might be moving?) but if you start to feel that and it doesn't go away try to time it (from the start of one to the start of the next) if it is consistent and gets worse with time then your in labor. My doctor told me to wait until I felt I HAD to go in because once your in you can't eat, shower etc..
Another way to tell if it is real labor, take a shower or bath, change positions, get up and walk. If any of these things stop your contractions it's Braxton hicks..
Sorry for the long post just wanted to inform you. Good luck(:
You may never get Brixton hicks! Some women never do. As for dilation etc they can be an indication of labour or it can happen all at once.
With my daughter I was in hospital at 2pm(for other reasons) barely a 1cm dilated and hardly effaced started having by contractions at 8pm, waters broke at 11pm, was examined at 1am 1-2cm dilated she was born at 2.06am I went from 1-10cm in 45mins!
Good luck
Pretty much(: you can help by walking but you don't have much longer. I have 10 days left and just staying positive and letting my body do what it's meant to do. That's really all you can do!
Thank you so much I guess now it's just up to her to come on out