Someone once said to me that if women could remember how painful birth really is, they would never have more than one child. There may be some truth to this, but the fear of childbirth pain does not have to be the worst pain you have ever felt. In a way, some women see this pain as a rite of passage, though choosing not to feel it does not make anyone less of a woman or a mother. In some ways, childbirth is something that some women feels makes them a real mother, but showing love and taking care of your child is what makes you a mom. When it comes to birth, do what works for you, not everyone else.
The first part of childbirth pain, the part that comes before you actually start to push, may be scary to some women, but the fear of this time is often more powerful then the actual pain. These cramp-like pains come slowly at first and then pick up in intensity as the time to give birth comes near. This childbirth pain can feel like nothing more than period cramps for some women, and they easily get through them. For others, they are extremely harsh. You won't know until you get there with your first child.
Breathing techniques used in childbirth classes can lessen the pain associated with this part of labor and delivery. The breathing can be used when you have your period too, if you have particularly wicked cramps. If you learn the breathing only for this early part of childbirth pain, it is well worth it. This childbirth pain can be minimal if you take childbirth classes a few months before you are due, and then actually use those breathing exercises when the time comes.
The pushing part of childbirth pain is by far the worst, but the intensity is different for each woman. Some find that subsequent children hurt less, but some find they are in even more pain. Whatever the case, you can try the same breathing techniques to deal with childbirth pain. Having a coach help you is nice, but you can do it on your own if you want to. Just keep telling yourself that it will be over soon enough and the prize at the end is well worth it. That can help you get through it.
Do not let anyone tell you how to handle childbirth pain. Some women are harsh with other women who have used or want to use drugs to dull some of the childbirth pain they are going to feel. You have to do what you feel is best for you. You can try to go natural or you can tell your doctor ahead of time that you want all of the help with pain management that you can get. It is a personal decision that you and only you can make, and it is really no ones business but yours. Unless your doctor deems it unwise, do what you need to get through it.