Steffi,

The other girls have given you wonderful advice.

I especially think that looking into CalmBirthing or some form of hypnobirthing would be a good idea for you. (I used it for my final birth and it was wonderful.)

i have found chatting to the midwives on the hospital tour priceless and since they will be supporting me throughout my birthing experience i guess thats the best thing for me.
That is wonderful. Do they run antenatal classes early on? If you warmed to them, maybe this is an avenue that you can explore to increase your confidence of the process?

But also be mindful that those lovely midwives may not be on shift when you are in labour?

For what its worth, I had vaginal deliveries for all three of my babies, in a private hospital environment. I had 3 blissfull births without any tears. BUT I had a VERY clear idea on what I wanted and what I didn't. Knowledge gave me this confidence to get what I wanted.

Good luck.