Ouch!

I have to admit that my time has come in this pregnancy where the discomforts and changes are enough to say it hasn't all been a walk in the park (and it really in truly has been so far!) I had the easiest 1st and 2nd trimesters and thought this whole thing was a breeze. I certainly can't compare to others' experiences, and I think that I still have it super easy compared to most. But one thing threw me for a loop last night. I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions on and off throughout the day most days and they don't hurt, just feel tight. That sounds pretty textbook to me. But a few times I have gone to lay down in bed and it turns into full-on cramps instead or back pain. Last night was by far the most powerful of these that I have experienced. I was surprised by the pain and frustrated that I couldn't relax well through it. Part of my struggle was fear that the pain level was a new intensity, and I worried that it could be early labor. Part of it was exhaustion- I had laid down to go to sleep and was instead greeted by pain. We have been doing relaxation practice for our Bradley classes and now I feel really motivated to practice it consistently, because I think I am going to need it. My midwife office had told me before that if I get cramps it can mean dehydration and I need to drink 3 full cups of water all at once and then lay back down for an hour and keep drinking another cup every 15 minutes. So that kept me up for the next 2 hours going to the bathroom every 15 minutes. But thankfully it worked. After about an hour the cramps and contractions subsided. I guess I am just doubting my ability to handle labor naturally now that I am starting to get a tiny taste of it. They say some people don't feel much pain- they progress quite a bit without even knowing that they are in labor. Will I be in the throws of cramps and back pain from the get go? If so, it's going to be really tough for me mentally.

Anyone else experience cramping or back pain with contractions weeks before your due date? How did it compare to what you felt when labor really started?