You don't go to the hospital once you feel contractions right away. You need to time if they are around 3 to five minutes apart. That's when you'll be admitted to the labor room in most hospitals. Also, you can get admitted once your water breaks.

I was in 12 hours of labor when I gave birth to my daughter. I thought I was prepared for the pain but you'll never be prepared for it. You just have to deal with it. This is a good article talking about how painful is childbirth.

Congratulations!!! I'm so excited for you to meet your little angel. Being a mom is the best thing that ever happened to me.