DC1 born at 39+6 the day after the chimney and end wall of our house fell down (!). Fairly sure stress brought it on as I'd had no signs a lot labour at all. Had a homebirth before moving out the next day for 9 months
DC2 went into labour at 40+10, born 40+11. Again absolutely no signs of labour. In desperation to avoid induction and have my homebirth I took castor oil and was in labour 5 hours later. Pretty standard labour and a brilliant homebirth. Probably my favourite birth to be honest.
DC3 (6 months old now) had been having intense Braxton Hicks for WEEKS. Had antenatal appointment at 37+1, all good. At 37 weeks it meant I could go to my planned small rural hospital, not the big city hospital, so was happy to reach that milestone! At 37+3 sent DH to the pub for a couple of pints with a friend. Was doing a wee when he came back and felt my waters pop on the toilet. That was a great conversation ha ha, he thought I was joking. Called hospital, they said if I was happy to wait until something started to do that, or to call back at 8 am if nothing happened. We ran around frantically packing hospital bag as I hadn't done it, and warned our friends who were looking after the other 2. Had some minor contractions overnight. Called hospital in the morning, went in for checks and monitoring. Talked about next steps-antibiotics/drip. They made me lie down on the monitor and as soon as I did contractions went away so I was on the monitor for 2 bloody hours, no contractions. Eventually let me go, we walked around the local wetland centre for HOURS, contractions not regular at all but some pretty intense.DH kept saying things like 'shall we go get a coffee?' Ha ha. Not bloody likely! Went back to the hospital at 5pm for 1st batch of antibiontics as waters had been gone 16 hours. Shift has changed and I had FANTASTIC midwives who used the wireless monitor so I just bounced on the ball for half an hour while they did it. Plan was then to go home for 4 hours and try to get some rest, but the dr came in to see me and recommended we stay as he reckoned contractions were pretty intense, couldn't talk through them etc and I'd end up having baby in the car. So they took me to my room, gave me something to help me sleep. DH went outside to call the dcs and say goodnight, suddenly it all got very very intense very quickly, majorly painful contractions, and I got really cold and shivery. Midwives heard me from the nurses station and took me back to the delivery room, got DH, wrapped me up in warm blankets (amazing!). I asked for gas and air, they ran the bath, helped me off with my clothes as it was mega intense. She arrived 15 minutes later, in the water,never got the 2nd lot of antibiotics. Dr came back after the birth and was all smug as yes, I would've ended up giving birth in the car! It was intense and crazy, and unlike previous labours no gradual buildup so I didn't expect it was coming so quickly.
Good luck!