I didn't do any calmbirth/hypnobirth courses or anything but I did have a reasonably pain free and enjoyable birth. If I hadn't experienced it for myself then I wouldn't have believed how easy it can be.

Here is my birth story:https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...th-amelia.html

During the last contraction I had a leg cramp which hurt more than the contraction. In the end I think the contractions never went past bad period pain, and even then it is on and off so there was a break in between. The so-called 'ring of fire' didn't happen (I think that was because I was in the water?), it was just an immense feeling of pressure. As she was born, all I felt was relief as all the downward pressure was released, no pain at all for the actual birth.

I do remember thinking at one stage that if the pain got any worse I might have to ask for a panadol, I think that was transition as she was born about 5-6 contractions later.

My advice would be just to keep calm, find some nice mantras to fill your head with, get in the zone and relax as much as you can (I found being in water to be amazing for relieving pain). Remember that you are a woman, you were made to do this. Good luck.