It is so very different for everyone, therefore hard to know what to anticipate, for want of a better word. For me, well I still thought I was in early labour, but it turns out I was 8cm, and mine started as strong period pains and just got stronger, but never really closer that 10 mins apart. A few double peakers though towards the end. The BH I had throughout my pregnancy felt completely different than the period like labour pains.