A wise woman told me before my first childbirth, "-All you know is that it never will be as expected." The words remained. When we give birth, anything can happen. We are dealing with powerful forces. Although we do not know how we will react and feel we can prepare ourselves and think through how we want it. The capacity of mind and body is amazing.
My three childbirths are among the most powerful and bewildering experiences of my life. At first I was scared of the pain and my own reactions and therefore had a great need of preparation. When it all started I noticed how my intellect didn't have anything to do with this act. This was something else. It was just to let go and trust the inner strength of the body. Those hours have changed my life. I have never before felt so strong and vulnerable at the same time.

Breathing, relaxation and a mental preparation makes a great difference. These methods are based on training and you get tools for the rest of your life.