Hey, I've always believed I've had a low pain tolerance and still think I do. I knew labour would be very painful and thought I most likely wouldn't cope and would end up asking for an epidural. Because I thought this, when I was in actual full blown labour I didn't believe it, I just thought I was being a wuss and that I had hours to go! Turns out I almost had my baby at home - by the time I got to the hossy and into my room I was pushing. I had my own midwife and she told me I was 7cm dialated before we left my house for the hospital. Oh I might add, DS is my first and he was 2 weeks early so I really wasn't expecting it so that also made my belief that I wasn't really in labour stronger! Point is, labour is a really DIFFERENT pain and I don't think you can measure your pain threshold in this circumstance - I went from thinking I'd have an epi, to having no time for one even if I wanted it.

I guess believing I have a low pain threshold worked for me and might for you I just kept saying to myself "no this can't be it, I've got hours to go, stop being a wuss" and "if I can't manage now, I'm going to crumble by the end of it!" LOL

You will seriously suprise yourself. I know this sounds really cliched, but trust your body - it knows what to do! And if you do need some relief or help to push things along, so be it, your body will let you know.