Hi everyone, sorry for radio silence. It has been a long couple of days for me - and still no baby! So from early labour beginning with tightenings and mild contractions on Sat at 4pm, I managed to get on off sleep. On waking contractions had died off but had a brilliant trip to the midwife at 12noon (sunday) who have me a sweep and said I was 2cm dilated which I was pretty pleased with. I came home had some lunch, and had an afternoon of contractions which were increasing in intensity and frequency. We didn't want to go in too soon so waited until the contractions were coming regularly every 3-4mins when I called the birth centre. They said to wait it out as long as possible to be sure, but confirmed it did sound like I was on the cusp of active labour. Just after 7pm we decided to go in - a 20min drive, with quite painful contractions. Finally arrived to find all the '30 min drop off' spaces taken so we had to drive to the car park at the back of the hospital and walk up hill, in the rain, to the centre stopping for contractions. By the time I was examined at 7.45pm, contractions were still coming regularly but I felt relaxed to finally be at the centre and the intensity I'd felt in the car had dropped off. Following exams by the MW (and a student - which I did consent to) they told me that I was STILL only 2cm dilated 
and that because I seemed to be coping so well they wanted to send me home. They said that this would be best as it could still be a long time and I would be most comfortable at home. However, they also threw in the bombshell they having read my notes and seen the history of my placenta pravia (sp?) that they didn't think I was suitable for a birth unit birth but should instead be referred to consultant care on the delivery suite (despite my consultant signing me off for a birth unit delivery and saying there was no longer any issue with my placenta at 32wks. He was so confident he even said the option of a further scan at 34 or 38 wks was unnecessary. Having this discussion however many weeks later, whilst having contractions, little sleep and being told I was being sent home was soooo tough. After showing the consultants verdict in my notes, they have relented and agreed I can stay under birth centre care, but they have still warned me that I could be at risk of severe blood loss and need for an emergency transfer - again, not things you want to hear when you are right in the grip of labour. By the time all this was rresolved it was 10.30pm and in that time my contractions has ramped themselves up again and I was quite tearful and emotional. I kind of wish I'd asked for a second examination as almost 3hrs had passed, but at the same time I did want to retreat back home. After a long, slow, miserable walk back to the car and the 25min drive home, I had a bath and we tried to go to bed but whilst my poor, drained DH fell asleep the contractions became agony for me. I am now downstairs alone, trying to give him a bit of rest but my tens machine is already cranked up to the top programme (although still have a fair few levels in hand). The sofa is much comfier than lying in bed but I don't think there is any chance of sleep as the contractions are so painful so just trying to work out how long I should stick it out here at home. Don't want to disturb DH (who has been fab) or go back too soon but there is not much fun sitting out such intense contractions on your own. Particularly when I know this could go on much longer, and then I will still have the pushing stage to take on.
Sorry this is so long - typing has been a welcome distraction. Sorry to not have a more positive update, but hoping that however long it takes, this is all progress I the right direction.
My waters haven't yet broken, and I am torn between hoping they do, and equally terrified that if they do, that the intensity of contractions might ramp up beyond my control and/or we can get back to hospital! 
thank you all so much for helping me through this, sorry to put a downer on the thread