Everyone has a horror story to tell you. From the moment you become pregnant, close friends, family and even strangers will have a birth experience to share with you. If it's negative, it's just what you don't need. Most of us are absolutely terrified of a horrible labour ordeal, so here we tell you how to prepare yourself! There is no hiding the truth, labour absolutely does hurt, like nothing you have ever felt before in your life! But we survive it and believe it or not even forget about the pain we went through.

One of the best ways to prepare yourself for labour is to know what to expect. Go to your ante-natal classes at the hospital and do view the video. Yes you will squirm and be frightened, however you will know what will probably happen when you go into labour.

It's okay to ask friends who have been through the experience but speak to the ones who will be most honest with you and not just embellish the story to create a real drama!

Speak to your midwife or Obstetrician and even read magazines such as Practical Parenting where they have real life experiences as told by their readers.

Learn about your pain relief options and decide on what will be best for you and remember to list it in your birth plan. Most hospitals will allow you to bring some comforts from home such as aromatherapy--soothing oils to massage or burn in the room or even relaxing music.

Importantly, don't get tense about going into labour. You will only make it worse for yourself. A tense pregnant mum is setting herself up for a long and painful labour as it will make all your muscles tight and difficult for your baby to emerge. Enlist your birth partner in helping you to relax and try to enjoy this magical moment!