Progress

I’ve been having a lot of painful contractions that become 10 mins apart for hours but then eventually turns into nothing. I got checked today as I’m 38 weeks and i am 1 cm and 50%! I also lost my MP the other day but never had a BS so I wasn’t sure if I would be dilated at all— it’s not much but it makes me feel good that my body is working and getting ready! My mom said she never showed any progress before labor and she always went really over due so I’ll take this as a good sign and hope we continue to make progress because boy am I ready!! Also did anyone else find checks to hurt more when you are dilated? At 36 weeks i was closed and it was just uncomfortable today it was pretty uncomfortable and hurt a bit and I was checked by the same midwife 🤷🏻‍♀️ I can’t imagine how it would feel to get a membrane sweep done now lol 😅