I had a super fast delivery - 6 hours from first contraction to birth, and I wish it had been longer because Id have been in less pain. I basically had what felt like 1 6 hours long contraction and there was never any "down" time for me to be calm enough (or well enough) for drugs.
I think it is a good, good thing for women to be honest about labor and delivery. Some women have glorious times with it, others really struggle. 18 months later, I'm still struggling with mine, for various reasons.
At the end of the day, giving birth is a MASSIVE deal, and there are so many, many, many, variables . . . that I think the only thing that ever really helps going into it is relaxation and meditation. Calming yourself, being prepared emotionally for the unknown, for the wonderful new life you are bringing into the world... focusing more on the baby than how the baby will get here, because it WILL get here.
Easier said than done I know, been there myself, but your baby has its own little plan of how to get into the world, and in a large part you are just along for the ride.
The weeks will seem like they've flown, and before you know it your little child will be 18 months, 3 years, walking - and you'll wonder where the time went.
