im not sure if youd consider it labor but for the last month of my pregnancy i contracted the entire time but stayed at 2cm. i was unable to walk due my previous health problems and the pregnancy making it worse. but once i went into active labor it was faster than my active pregnancy. so im not sure if my body just hates me or what lol.

I was very active my full pregnancy but on labor I sat in a bath tub with jets for an hour and went from 4cm to 9.5

Yes, walk a lot, squat, and be as active as you can be throughout your pregnancy. Even throughout labor, try to walk through as much as you can. Sitting and laying down won't help your progress.