I was 10 cm dilated before I noticed anything. I felt My tummy blowing up like a balloon and knew instantly I was in labor..things started really progressing on the car ride to the hospital and when I got there and screaming in pain and struggling to get in a hospital gown and rushed to the delivery room, I gave birth as soon as they broke My water. It is kinda scary not to know how dilated you are until you're in too much pain you barely can walk

My water never breaks and I never get that far all mine were early and I usually go when I’m crying so I don’t get sent home then immediately get a epidural