Approaching Labor? Signs and What to Expect

Question
I am 20 and i am having a girl,this will be my first child.  I have already dropped and i am dialited 1. I think that i have already lost my mucos plug.  I have had braxton hicks contractions.  twelve of them in 2 hours.  but havent had any since.  is there anyway that you can tell me if i am close to labor.

Answer
When you start to feel contractions at the level of your belly button, that occur every 3 mintues (from the start of one to the start of the next one) and each contraction stays hard for a full minute, and this continues for an hour, then you are in labor. Until then, the prodromal labor can continue for awhile. Once you reach 3-4cm dilatation, you will be admitted to the hospital.