hi there Jas, i will be a first time mum too, so can't really give much first hand experience advice, but thought i would share where i am at, at the moment (24 weeks).

ideally, i don't really want any of those things either, in particular an episiotomy, forceps etc, i'm pretty okay with getting pain relief, it would be great to get thru the labour without it, but at the end of the day, if i need it i will be screaming for it!! you may even hear me ;-)

i think its great to have a plan, but also keep in mind important to have an open mind too. i think its virtually impossible to predict how things are going to go, and you may find it harder/easier/longer/shorter/whatever and need to make last minute changes to accommodate all the variables that can happen on the big day. I guess you just have to trust your instincts, trust the professionals around you, and don't be too disappointed if things don't go exactly to plan, or if you decide you need some pain relief, or if the doc says you need an episiotomy (fingers crossed not!!) - i guess you just have to go with the flow and do what is needed in order to bring the bub into the world. I am terrified but calm at the same time strangely enough. i figure if hundreds and thousands (millions!) of women can do it then so can i, and regardless of how awful it may or may not be, i guess it will be over in time and all in the past and i will have a little bundle at the end of it to make it all worth while. So for me, whatever has to happen I guess has to happen. I sort of feel in a way a lot of things are out of my hands and up to the gods! (and thats strange coming from me, the control freak!!)

Anyways enough rambling, and best of luck!!