Where did you feel your contractions?

Hello mamas! I am due in May with my second baby. With my first, I had what I believe was back labor. I thought it was normal pain until I was describing it and everyone seemed to look terrified as if it was horrific. It felt as if my legs were being ripped apart and I was being torn up the middle with each contraction, but they did not go any higher than my tailbone. I felt most of the hot, searing pain in my tailbone. It was awful and I almost fainted from the pain. I almost went into shock and my epidural was ineffective.

Is this abnormal or am I weak? I hardly felt any pain in my pelvis/uterus. Mostly only in my tailbone, back/hips. If it was back labor? Any mommies ever had back labor and had another baby without having to experience it?