How many hospital visits are necessary before giving birth??

I was at the hospital - AGAIN - this morning. I was having contractions every minute and a half. Were they doing anything???? NOPE!

Dr. Sanders gave me some medication to stop the contractions, but they didn't stop. So, I was sent home with some pain reliever. He told me, "Sorry, no inductions until 39 weeks, even if you are contracting all the time."

I am still having some contractions; and, I am horribly exhausted. Painful contractions that don't do anything??? Dr. Sanders, the nurse and I are all perplexed. If anyone out there knows something I don't about this labor stuff, I'd be more than happy to know.