Hi,
I had gas and pethidine for my labor, which was pretty quick. i was determined not to have an epidural, and I didn't (despite my dh begging the midwife for one halfway through!)
Early labor did feel like really bad period pain for me. I usually get period pain in my back and that's where I felt it during labor. My best friend get cramps in the front and that's where she felt it.
As AshleaJayne said, prepare yourself by education. And find a good antenatal class. Talk to as many people as you can but don't let them scare you or belittle you and do that smirking thing where they say 'oh you won't get through labor without drugs!' In the end though, if you need drugs, you need drugs. It's not the end of the world. Don't get so set on the idea that you feel like a failure if you take them.
The female body is an amazing thing and can cope with tremendous amounts of pain and pressure. Yes, labor hurts but the end result is so worth it. And the pain is just your body doing what it's supposed the do.