How long did it take you to dilate?

Had my routine weekly visit today. I’m 38w2d. The last 3 days I have had pressure and what I was thinking was contractions Maby (being my first I have no clue lol) so my doctor checked me. He said babe was realllly low, just about 100% effaced and I’m about a fingertip length dilated. He said with all the discomfort he was gonna send me to labor and delivery to be monitored to see if I was definitely having contractions. After watching me for about 3 hours, it was confirmed I’m definitely having contractions (although they’re mild and irregular) and I dilated to 1.5cms. How long did it take you for your labor to progress and your contractions to become more regular?