With my fifth I had pre labour for about 4 weeks on and off then he arrived 3 days early, the birth was good I went to bed with really dull ache on the Tuesday night and when I woke Wednesday they were a bit stronger and about 5 mins apart. Got kids to school and called DH home from work, went to the hospital as I was in a bit of pain and got checked out and said I still was dialated, so got home about 1:30pm and pains were getting worse still, was trying to write a shopping list with DH and just couldn't concentrate so went for a hot shower and they ramped up. I got out of the shower and every second contration had me sitting on the loo. DH went to pick the boys up from school and I was not coping so rang and told him to come straight home as we were going back to the hospital, by that time I knew this bub was coming, DH rang his friend to watch the kids, got home from the school and his friend turned up about 10-15 mins later, I got in the car and had one more contraction before we left and told DH to hurry or we'd have the baby in the car on the side of the road (I think this is when I went into tranistion), I did have another contration in the 10 min drive but felt pushy, got out at the hospital and had a massive contration and nearly pushed him out at the reception of the hospital, got wheel chair to maternity trying not to push got there and he was born 5 mins later.

That is the longish version, now I think it was about 2hrs or just under of active labour, no drugs, no intervention waters broke as he crowned, after pains were horrible as was when he would first attach for feeding I could actually see my uterus pop up and out, very weird only last maybe 3 days then settled, so make sure you take panadol or panadine for the pain.

Goodluck on your up coming birth too.