I liked "chinese burn" thats the closest I have come to describing the pain- my pregnant friend is infuriated I can't exactly describe labour, and each one is different but I would ABSOLUTELY recommend Birth Skills by Juju sundin. I had 2 days of early labour and was to be induced day 3- was 5cm on arrival and after 4 hours (of intense contractions) and 5 pushes (read the coffee plunger part!) and AHH ing like there was no tomorrow (I wasn't going to do that bit, only use the stress balls SO glad I AHHed you get over it!)My darling son was born, after 18 months of trying! Only used gas and had no stitches this book got me through, otherwise I believe the pain would have been too much and I would of ended up with an epidural.