How Long Does False Labour Last?

I'm in 38th week and I'm having Braxton Hicks 4th day now. They are very painful, sometimes regular, sometimes they disappear. The pain is comparable to the real labour contractions which I had with my first child.
I'm looking for some advice what to do, how to get rid of them or how to make real contractions started. I can't sleep most of the night and at the hospital they advice on a phone to wait till it gets regular. So I'm suffering and waiting. And reading here than Braxton-Hicks are rarely painfull HA HA HA

There is no fixed time for false labour. In some cases it may happen for a short span of time in others longer. It can last throughout the whole last trimester, or a few weeks, or even a couple of days. If it occurs too early, like say, before the third trimester the expectant mother should go for a check up to her doctor.

False labour is also called Braxton Hicks. In addition many people dislike the term false labour instead they prefer- 'prelabour' since term, they feel more accurately describes the contractions. False labour contractions are rarely painful- they do serve a good purpose though, to soften and efface the cervix, thereby preparing both the woman and her baby for the upcoming birthing.

True labour contractions are painful, stronger and no longer than about five minutes apart. Therefore if a woman experiences contractions that are quite close together she shouldn't hesitate to go for a check-up and rule out the chance that the labour may be real.