I never feared this when going into labour with DD I tried not to let things bother me because fear is what can make it all seem much more painful iykwim? However YES I did tear, pretty badly too, i tore internally and had a 3rd degree tear. I needed quite a few stitches down there and YES it hurt really badly because I didn't have any drugs or gas or anything, all natural but that's what I chose to do and wanted so to me, it's all part of the 'birth' experience YES it REALLY hurt tearing and was the most painful part of the entire labour for me (made the contractions seem easy!) however my contractions had slowed right down at that stage and DD seemed to just crown for aaaaages until she came out so that stage wasn't fast for me!! Some people tear and it's not that bad for them....... everyone is different. Lots of women don't tear either so you may not at all!!!

Please don't be scared or worried about something that may NEVER happen go in with an open mind..... trust me, once they place bub on your chest, it's TOTALLY WORTH IT.

(it did take a few weeks for my vagina to feel somewhat normal down there but after a few months, sex and everything felt same as always )

All the best with it all please remember birth is something that is totally normal and natural and you CAN do it Don't be frightened of it.