it's really all about keeping your adrenalin at bay. adrenalin causes a drop in oxygen in your blood and has an immediate effect of causing the waves (contractions) to be harder and much more painful. one of the best ways to keep the adrenalin in the closet is really to use as much deep, slow and measured breathing as possible. i did a calmbirth course which combines breathing and some good visualisation and affirmation techniques. so if i were you i would really look into those kind of trainings. either through a course (which i HIGHLY recommend) or by getting stuck into some exercises for it (which no doubt you can google). every little bit will help. basically it is all about telling your conscious brain to take a break by focussing on your 'happy place' (visualisation) or your affirmations (to work in combination with your body). this way your subconscious can take over and send you all those beautiful happy hormones that all those hippies harp on about....and have a point about lol!