It may be helpful for you and your GF to read the Hypnobirthing link on this website or Google it to learn how to approach the fear of pain, process it and deal with it. There are books, CDs and classes in many places that train you to accept and cope with pain and fear. Can I also recommend either of 2 books I know of. I read one called Ina May's Guide to Birth and there is another called Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin also. She talks a lot about you approach to birth and how to have a calm, beautiful birth free of fear. If you can't get them, there is another book called A Labour of Love by Gabrielle Targett with a similiar theme- using the body and hormones in the way that nature designed them to work in birth. She has a website where you can order her books and Cds from as well. Google her name or the name of her book.
You have plenty of time to prepare and you are a thoughtful person!