awwww…Let me say this. It isn’t as bad as you’d think! 19 days before I was due my water broke while I was driving (yep…it was interesting…) and my contractions came about the same time. I was 23 miles from the hospital and went home first to change and meet my mom so she could drive me. 23 hours after my water broke they were wheeling me off for a c-section and I was the screaming wild lady giving birth you see in movies (looking back–it’s quite comedic! I really wanted to go natural). I begged them to check one more time and sure enough I was ready to deliver so they let me try. I became very discouraged and even started to cry during delivery b/c I thought I couldn’t do it. In the end–the Dr. was really firm and told me I had to and I managed through it in 47 minutes. My daugher was 8 12 and healthy. Looking back–I don’t even remember the pain or fear. I’m actually a little more afraid this time than last time b/c now I KNOW what to expect where as last time, even though I had taken classes, it’s still so new that you could never know what to expect. I fear I haven’t said anything reassuring to you but I promise that it really isn’t all that bad. Just make sure you learn some good visualization/relaxation techniques and take a good partner into the delivery room who will be attentive but understand that you may not always be pleasant. It’ll all work out and it’ll go by so much faster than you think! Good luck w/ it–btw–what book did you read?