OK, there's been a stuff-up with my antenatal classes and I'm not having my first one until quite late so I'm keen to know as much as possible beforehand.

My question isn't covered in the books I have so here goes.

Can you tell me what sort of pain the contractions are? I had a miscarriage about 18 months ago and the pain seemed to be quite vaginal-specific rather than around the pelvis. I must admit, at the time I did think "gee, if an 8-week miscarriage hurts this bad how am I going to cope with an actual labour." Am trying to convince myself that although the pain will be worse, it will be a 'different' kind of pain. But don't know if I"m just kidding myself?

Are labour pains similar or is the pain more general ie. around the back, pelvis etc. rather than feeling like the pain is concentrated in the vagina?

Also, if anyone can recommend a no-nonsense dvd that would be great. By 'no-nonsense", I mean something that isn't try to push a particular natural birth bandwagon but something that will describe each stage, tell me best way of pushing etc.

Thank you!