The midwife said in our childbirth classes that it helps to remember that the pain associated with contractions is a good thing- i.e. it means something is happening, as you've said above it's a "good pain". Maybe visualise your cervix dilating and your pelvis opening up with each contraction, making a path for your baby to travel through. And once it's all over (as I keep getting told!) it will all be worth it and you won't even remember how much it was hurting.

I'm starting to freak out a little bit...I think not knowing what it is going to be like- not knowing what the contractions will feel like and just how much they are going to hurt- is probably the worst bit for me.