First baby early?

I am 37w 4d preggo at the moment. I am due on the 28th and my doctor will let me go 1 week past my due date before he will induce. That means I could have up to 3 weeks left!!!
I have had PLENTY of very regular BH contractions for about a month now. I have LOTS of pressure on pelvis and that whole area. I am dilated 1 centimeter as of last Tuesday. Thursday I had some brown mucus (sorry) when I wiped but that was the only time. Saturday I had pretty uncomfortable period-like cramps ALL day long.
On one hand, with all of this "action" I feel like labor could happen any day. On the other hand, I realize (like I said before) that I could have up to three more weeks!!! Everyone tells me that since it's my first baby, it will probably take longer and he most likely won't come early and blah blah blah.
Which brings me to my question (finally!). How many of you delivered your first baby early? How many days early did you go into labor? Does it sound to you experienced mommy's that I will have him anytime soon or do you think I should just suck it up and get ready for at least another 2 weeks of this???

suck it up ......lol
Neil came the day before his official due date, and exactly the date I gave for him.

i was induced with the first..... and this one is probablly going to take his time too... im only at 1 also.  

Well, he could come anytime based on what you said...I had my little one at 38 weeks. My midwife stripped my membranes on a Monday and my water broke that Thursday and I had her on Friday evening! Good luck!!

Quoting KristaMRN:“ Well, he could come anytime based on what you said...I had my little one at 38 weeks. My midwife stripped ... [snip!] ... My midwife stripped my membranes on a Monday and my water broke that Thursday and I had her on Friday evening! Good luck!!”

That's another question... My doc has not mentioned anything about membrane stripping. What exactly is that and should I ask him about it and see if he will do it? Is it all dangerous?

My first came at 38w 1d. And my labor was only 6 hours total.
Not everyone has a long labor with their first.

It is when they separate the bag of waters from the uterus with their finger, it feels like an uncomfortable pelvic exam. It's not dangerous it's just supposed to get things moving!

Um I would say, you might just wanna get used to the fact that you might be pregnant for 3more weeks, I went almost a week over my due date...it sucks but it happens!

With my daughter I was a week overdue and had to be induced.
With this one, I am due the same day as you, and have been 3 CM since last week, have had tons of BH contractions and lots of pressure, but no baby yet.

Don't get too anxious or you will drive yourself crazy.

Quoting kh1187*3CMdilated:“ With my daughter I was a week overdue and had to be induced. With this one, I am due the same day as ... [snip!] ... had tons of BH contractions and lots of pressure, but no baby yet. Don't get too anxious or you will drive yourself crazy.”

I think I am already going crazy!

It's hard to mentally prepare yourself for something when you have NO idea what to expect or when to expect it!!!

UGH!