To be completely honest

[suse]

Sweet, although to a certain extent you can't control exactly what your body does in labour (although there are heaps of things you can do to help it do what it's going to do naturally), but you can control how you respond to your body.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the thought of your body being out of control, remember that your body is in control, but as sentient beings we are so used to our minds controlling our actions that the thought of relinquishing that control to purely biological processes can be frightening. Perhaps pregnancy yoga or meditation would help you get in tune with your body and in a headspace where you can work with your body rather than feeling like your conscious mind needs to direct the process.

It might also benefit you to learn as much as you can about the physiological process of labour and that there is a huge variance of 'normal' in terms of what each woman feels in labour, so that when it happens you are better able to go with the flow of it rather than worrying about it.

[Shanti]

Sweet, although to a certain extent you can't control exactly what your body does in labour (although there are heaps of things you can do to help it do what it's going to do naturally), but you can control how you respond to your body.
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Great way of putting it Suse

Hun, don't let your FEAR take over..... please read as much as you possibly can about labour and birth and what happens to the body when it happens etc. Keep reminding yourself that women have been birthing for thousands of years and it's totally natural, normal and exciting Read as much as you can about your condition you have so you are best equipped with knowledge.

Remember, knowledge is power

I had an amazing natural birth and I really honestly believe it was partly (mostly) because I went in with NO fear of the birthing process whatsoever and I trusted my body, it knew what to do.... I went with my body. I accepted the inevitable, accepted that yes there would be pain but GOOD pain... pain with purpose I also had a very supportive DH who I educated about the birthing process and my rights etc and we read things together.... I helped prepare him for what was to happen and what I would need him to do for me during the whole thing... he was amazing. If you don't feel you have a supportive partner to bring in with you, perhaps a Doula would be wonderful?
I also went in knowing that I could not control every part of the birthing process, only some parts of it and that nature would do the rest..... your MIND you can control.

[Lulu]

but you can control how you respond to your body.

Terrific point.

[BloominRoses]

Sweet, although to a certain extent you can't control exactly what your body does in labour (although there are heaps of things you can do to help it do what it's going to do naturally), but you can control how you respond to your body.

This is actually what I was intending to convey to you Lauren but thankfully the others managed to phrase it much better than my cold and flu riddled head could.

My other suggestion would be take up all of the offers of help and advice these ladies are offering. I'm seriously quite useless with this stuff but there are so many Mummy Goddesses on here to help you find your own way to having the birthing experience of your dreams.

And a big hello and hug to your DF for reading all of this along with you! That's a huge first step already!!