Prodromal contractions or whatever

Ive been having contractions for the past few weeks with no progress but last night they woke me up they were so painful. They descended down to my lower back and butt and I really thought i was in labor but i was waiting for them to get 5 mins apart and then like always they stopped. It was heartbreaking. This has not been an easy pregnancy for me, not like my first child, and i was just so excited to meet this little girl only to be let down again. I didnt know fake contractions could be so painful... ugh i feel like when its really time im not going to make it to the hospital because i just wont believe its true labor..