I don't want to scare you but I had one of those three (nearly four) day labours with stitches to the moon. Afterwards I was totally traumatised by the whole experience, not just labour, but also the loss of privacy ( I felt like everyone and thier best friend had looked up my fanny and copped a feel for good measure), the dreadful food, the uncomfy bed and the rest of the hospital experience. I did all the preparation I could, classes, excercises, books etc but in the end nothing could prepare me for what I went through. I think that I didn't think enough about unexpected outcomes, I had such an easy pregnancy and I've always been so healthy that I just assumed that I would have an active drug free labour.
Afterwards DH and I both swore that we would never have another child but now three months down the track we're both thinking about number two.
I think that the most important thing to remember is that no matter how bad it is the memory will fade, that in the long run it is only a tiny part of being a mother and most importantly that its all worth it when you fall in love with your incredible little miracle.
Mind you I still feel like ***** slapping any woman who tells me how empowering her 3hr active labour was 8-)