I had a baby a week or so before my 40th birthday 11 years ago, which was a forceps birth - I think at my age I was too tired to push.
I found the pain relief given (morphine, I think I had) very effective. Also go to any classes beforehand because I also found the breathing exercises help. There are also epidurals. I had a local anaesthetic when it was decided I had to have a forceps delivery and I think mentally managed to take myself out of it. You could also try hypnosis which I think can be effective.
Know something though, I was fully dilated before I had any pain relief and it was not so terribly bad. You could feel the same.... all the best with it.