I also had a long pre-labour - about 3 weeks.
Had regular BH about 5-7 minutes apart for the week leading up - now that was annoying.

And although you joke that you might dissmiss it! I did! when it was real i though oh it is those BH again and mosyed into the hospital. The contractions didnt get badly painful until 2 hours b4 dd was born. Up to midday i was walking around, laughin, talking etc

i had all the contractions in my back though not the front (which was the difference with the 3 weeks of bh) and i was 5cm dilated when the nurses said - oh they are prob BH - you should go home... i made them do an internal and they where like - wholy crap! we have to get you to the big hospital (as i am the same - small town - wouldnt deliver) and i only just made it when dd was born at 2pm (it is an hour and a half drive inthe ambulance to the big hospital).

So it was annoying to have all this prelabour and shows etc but great for a swifty birth!