Once you begin to tell people about your intended pregnancy, you'll probably hear many, many different versions of what to expect when you deliver.
Some people insist on avoiding the word pain altogether, substituting contractions or discomfort.
But many women are dismayed to discover that labor and delivery do hurt, usually a lot, and require a tremendous amount of energy. Fortunately, the hard parts don't last that long, and when it's over, you have a baby to take home. It's best if you recognize at the start that there is no such thing as a perfect childbirth experience. Many couples expect too much and are disappointed when events don't proceed exactly as they planned. Birth is a physical experience.