Hello everyone!

I'm 22 weeks pregnant and starting to think seriously about the birth process and I've come up with some questions that I'm hoping the more experienced girls may be able to help with. Some of them might sound silly so I apologise in advance.

1. What are the first signs of your body getting ready to go into labour? I've heard back ache, AF pain etc.
2. When your waters break, do you wait for contractions to start before calling the hospital? I know some people have contractions which start almost right away and some people dont have them start for 24 hours or more.
3. Can you have contractions without the water breaking?
4. At what stage of labour do you actually go to the hospital? i.e. when contractions are how far apart (we are only 15 minutes from the hospital).

I'm sure the midwife/ob will go through these at some stage but I like to do my research beforehand.

I figure I'll just listen to my body and do what I feel is right at the time but at this stage, it is hard to know what signs mean what (if that makes sense). I'm sure at the time, I will know what to do .....

Thank you for your help!