We went to our first antenatal class last night. Here's the thing: the midwife made me fairly uncomfortable on two points - that everybody tears to some degree (it's a birth centre so they don't do epi, which I'm fine with) and that when you're in transition you will vomit.

I HATE vomiting! I mean, that's how I react to pain, so I guess I'm kind of resigned to the fact that at some stage I might. But is it a given that I will?

Also, I'm reading up on perineal massage and I intend to start it (she did recommend this) but I guess I just figured that you don't absolutely have to tear, and I kind of wanted to be one of those women who didn't!!! I also find it disturbing that you could tear so much... surely a fourth degree tear is a sign that something terrible is going on, and someone (the person who's looking after you) is not doing their job properly... or am I just being naive there? I really don't mean offence to any midwives who've had this happen, I honestly don't know if it's possible to stop it.

So, is it true? Should I expect vomit and tearing? Or should I hold onto the hope that I might not?