Everyone seems to be a bit coy around the actual birth. Push for all your worth. Once the parasite [sorry absolute darling] is out, it stops hurting. Take the first few pees in a bath while pressing down on your pudenda - stops feeling like you are being cut in half by a rusty saw. Get your friends and family to be on a rota to provide you with food for the first two weeks, or be extremely efficient and freeze a load of meals. Remind yourself you are very clever and consummate woman and enjoy!