4cm dilated and 60% effaced, but no consistent contractions

I'm 37+5 today with my 2nd baby. Had an appointment this morning and I'm 4cm and 60%, which is a lot of progress because last week I was 2cm and like 10%. I've been cramping and having back pain for over a week, and even had inconsistent contractions for 3 hours last week before they just stopped. I lost my mucus plug 2 weeks ago, baby dropped 3 weeks ago, and I had bloody show this morning. So it's about to happen, but I'm going nuts with waiting. This pregnancy has seemed to drag on forever.

Anyone else been 4cm and go into labor soon after? I was under the impression that usually at 4cm you're in or about to be in active labor.

I didn't have this with my first because I was .5 cm until I was induced at 39+5 and once I hit 2cm, my doctor broke my water and I was definitely in active labor after that. So even though this is my 2nd baby it all feels really new.

I need some reassurance that this won't go on forever. I've been miserable with cramping and contractions for over a week that are just uncomfortable enough to make me hate life.