Fingers crossed!

So today I went in for an ultrasound and I'm currently 38+6 the doctor asked if I wanted to check if I'm making any progress and of course I said yes , she said if I'm dilating at all then she will strip my membranes ( holy shit painful as ever) I am dilated 1cm , but my cervix is still somewhat thick . I've been having what it feels like period cramps since 11 , with my cervix being thick do you think it will work? What ways can I make this progress ?