In early labour, I loved Scrabble! Whilst everything was getting ready to go, I could sit comfortably staring at those little letters taking my mind off the twinges going on. I later added a TENS machine to the scrabble board to take the edge off the contractions and to help me get used to the machine.

Keeping a sense of humour helped too - admittedly, when things went pear-shaped I needed it for a different reason, but you if can keep everything in perspective then that does help.