I am probably the last person who should answer this one, I had 2 hours of contractions before my waters broke and i thought they were great, I didn't know what all the fuss was about and I was certain i would go ahead with my plan for a drug free labour. I am not sure when Noah decided to turn around to be back to back but he did and it was still fine until my labour stalled. I was induced the following day and it was not fun from there on. I could not walk or move, even assited and went on to have an epidual which failed and then had to make the decision to go ahead an have a caeser because 2 days was too long and tiring. So for me it was not fun and declared then and there I would never have a natural delivery again..

Now in the last week or two I have been thinking I would like to have a natural delivery next time and will start mentally and physically preparing myself for when I get pregnant again and have the wonderful journey of labour. So to answer your question, yes it hurts to the point of taking your breath away but when you hold your baby in your arms you see that it was all a labour of love.