Re OBEM, I was grateful for having watched about a million episodes recently before birth of DC2. My labour was mad quick - 1 hr and half long from first twinge to baby out. We couldn't get me in the car to get to hospital as urge to push was too great and hospital was 30 mins away. Paramedics arrived in time to help poor DH and MIL(!) as they watched in horror!
Having watched so many labours on OBEM, I felt like I had some sort of a clue of what was happening and what would happen next. They never show anything going wrong in labours or any sad endings, god forbid. So if you can bear it, watch it just for education if nothing else.
The mad quick birth was with my second child. First labour was over 50 hrs long so have been through both ends of spectrum. Weird. Hoping 3rd one will be quick too!
I'd advise reading up nearer the time about what exactly a contraction is - ie the science behind the cervix softening and dilating in prep for baby xoming down birth canal. The more you can get your head around how your body is fully in control of what is going on and is just prepping for baby to exit, the better. I got myself soooo worked up during contractions in my first labour.I tensed up and really didn't try to relax and breathe through the contractions. When you feel pain as a human, you just fear that there is something wrong with your body and you get scared thinking this isn't right! Labour's the opposite - with each pain, your cervix is dilating and you feel this via your tummy hardening and cramping and the pain is a GOOD thing as your body is getting you closer and closer to the point of delivery.
I am planning to remember all this in Feb and have a good watch of OBEM and read over the birth sections of my pregnancy books.
Please don't be frightened anyone. It isn't pleasant but if the pain gets too much, just have pain relief and it goes away, I promise (had epidural with DC1)!
I do think though that knowledge about birth is power so do read about it loads if you can face it!