I have had 2 drug free labours and while i have to admit that the 2nd was more painful (she was posterior) I would not for a second say that my labours 'hurt' or were 'painful' they were uncomfortable for sure but not painful. That is just me though but like others have said in here, I dont like to assiciate the word pain wiht birthing a child. I do believe however that pain is affected by your mental state at the time and if you arent able to 'relax' into whats happening and you try to fight it, i imagine it will be painful.