omg I'm due soon with my 2nd and I also feel scared... i know what's coming!! lol.

But I'm scared this labour won't go as wonderfully as my first with DS (8hr spontaneous labour, a bit of gas, no tears, gorgeous healthy baby )

pre-labour - raspberry leaf tea and lots of kegles to get them muscles ready

Stress balls - used this as pain started to build. Moved to ''aahhhiiinnnggg'' and distraction (as juju recommneds) at various stages.

Tens Machine - we hired one online for $100. Used it early on and it was great. Introduced gas when tens wasn't quite enough.

Gas - dialled it way down and slowly increased it thinking "pain will get worse so don't use it full on yet''... this got me to 9.5cm

Hot water - shower rocked!!! wish i'd gotten in earlier.

Fit ball - I laboured nearly my entire labour on the fit ball, rocking from side to side, with a tens machine and gas toilet was also a good position.

DH - he was my secret weapon. He also read Juju's book so was a fabulous help in keeping me on the straight and narrow. When fear crept in and i started losing my focus, he'd bring me back. He kept chanting "baby down, baby down, you are doing great, good pain, etc etc" just over and over and looked me right in the eyes... that look was my anchor. I even think I could get through an entire labour with nothing but my DH cos he was that good at positive thinking and distraction etc. So get yourself someone who will keep you in the moment iykwim.

I'm opposite to you... i really didn't do well on the pushing and not looking forward to it but i'm determined to "do better this time" lol.

So to answer your question - yes i feel my techniques worked. I really do think you need to be mentally prepared for it ... and have a good understanding on why it hurts! and what is happening etc lol.

Good luck, i'm sure you'll do such a great job.