No mother ever looks back on her labor and delivery and thinks, "Boy, that was easy." The truth is, like most other things worth having, it takes work to get your baby into the world. But that doesn't mean you have to suffer through unbearable pain and discomfort. While you're still pregnant and once you go into labor, you can take steps to make yourself more comfortable, relaxed and ready to deliver your baby.

Consider the following five strategies for reducing your anxiety, managing your pain and making labor easier.

Childbirth isn't exactly a test, but you do need to study. Being prepared and educated about what to expect in the delivery room will help reduce your anxiety and make everything easier.

"Be aware of what to expect and what your options are," says Dr. Suzanne Merrill-Nach, an OB/GYN in private practice in San Diego, Calif. You can take a childbirth class through the hospital where you plan to deliver. They usually cover a broad range of topics, from how to tell when you're really in labor to pain medications, breathing techniques and even basic childcare. You'll get a good overview of what will happen and what decisions you will have to make during labor and delivery. Prenatal classes also give you an opportunity to talk with a nurse about any concerns you have.

You can also talk to other mothers about their birth experiences. Ask about what they did to manage their pain, how it worked for them and what they would have done differently. Just keep in mind that every woman's experience is different.

Another way to be prepared for labor and delivery is to create a birth plan. Essentially, no matter how well you plan, birth is unpredictable to some degree. Creating a birth plan forces you to think about all the possibilities and allows you to make decisions about your labor and delivery beforehand.

Content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical question or condition. Reliance on information presented on this site is at your own risk. This site contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of this site, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.