I didn't have any real warning. I woke up and got contractions. Before I knew it, I was in full labour but really wasn't sure if it was the real thing. He was born very quickly once my water broke and I would say it was fast & furious and he came out a little bruised from the whole thing. I personally have found my boys labours to be more painful than my girls - I don't know why that is though - so it was a little more painful. Definitely not my favourite labour but beautiful all the same. 5 hours from first contraction to birthing the placenta.