Julfin, congrats!! What a gorgeous photo! Hope you recover soon from the experience, but well done for managing it all with no pain relief!
I've been a bit too exhausted to post my birth story - have only had about 4 hours sleep since Monday! In fact, my experience was a bit similar to Julfin in parts: after a day of vaguely wondering whether I was in labour or not, and ringing the maternity assessment for advice, I had a bloody show and was told to come straight in to the hospital. I arrived at the hospital only 1cm dilated but with increasingly strong contractions - literally went from 'should I bother taking paracetamol or not?' at home, to being doubled over at reception.
Because I'd had a bleed they told me to come straight to the delivery unit to have a trace put on - the idea was to get baby checked out in the main delivery unit, and then head downstairs to the birth centre. But the delay getting 30 mins continuous trace on baby, combined with the tension caused by the internal examination and powerful contractions, meant that before long my waterbirth hopes were fading. Unlike Julfin I just about had time to get the TENS machine strapped on, and to agree to and be administered Pethidine - and at that point it was clear that my birth plan was out the window and I would be staying upstairs - howling my way through the pains like a banshee, asxit turned out.
I honestly don't know how I would have managed without the Pethidine. I was so lucky that it worked for me, calmed me down and made me feel less overwhelmed by the pain. Even at the time I could appreciate the funny side of it, as I found myself drowsy and slurring my words. But I just got into the groove of riding the crest of the contractions and making it to the next one. I got to use the birth ball a bit, at the start, before the drugs kicked in, but all my dreams of water, yoga breathing and stretches never stood a chance. There is one delivery room in that unit with a birth pool, but it was already taken, and it was too late to go down to the birth centre with its 11 gorgeous birthing pool rooms. I was simply totally unprepared for the pain to be that powerful. The midwife did say that they were unusually strong contractions for that stage of labour.
Next thing I knew I felt like I wanted to push, and when they examined me I was 10cm dilated. Pushed for an hour and a half, maybe less, and baby was born just after 2am - 6 hours after I'd arrived at the hospital 1cm dilated and unsure whether or not I'd be sent home again.
Poor DH was very worried that I changed so radically from birth plan and did his best to make sure i knew what I was doing. But thankfully I don't at all regret my decision to take the drugs offered, as if I'd carried on for much longer without, I would have been completely overwhelmed and exhausted, and probably not had the energy to push when it came to it. I honestly think If they'd suggested an epidural or even a c-section at that point, I would have said yes. As it was, I pushed my little girl out myself, most of the drug had worn off, and she was born absolutely healthy and beautiful. I feel so lucky. And amazed that I don't feel one ounce of regret about that drug! I usually put pressure on myself to do things the hard way 
Sorry for the rambling tale, hope it's not too incoherent. I'm still in hospital being monitored as my bladder function stopped after the birth. I've had a catheter fitted, and hopefully when they take it out tomorrow everything will be back to normal and we can go home. I am a bit achey as I needed stitches for tears in two places, but thankfully no episiotomy or other interventions.
So if I could just get some sleep! My little Eleanor is a champ, but hasn't really settled into a feeding routine yet - although she has managed to chew my nipples to bits after less than 48 hours.
Thanks for all the messages everyone. I'm pleased you like the babes we chose. I am so proud of myself, and so should you all be. I'm enjoying the magical bubble we are in at this moment. Thank you all for sharing it with me!
I guess the next step for me is to check out the postnatal thread 
Good luck to all those with bubs still to arrive.