Hi Steffi!

First of all congrats with your decision to TTC!

I lot of great advice has been given here but I feel compelled to also add my 2 cents worth!

I have had two natural drug free births which I found to be very empowering and I have also had epidural with my last birth.

A lot of people a pro natural birth which is wonderful. I can not explain the high you get when you push your baby out into the world. Its amazing... but in saying that I also had a wonderful birth with my third having had a epidural. I had a "walking epidural" which allowing me to move around and walk (although with assistance) and was still able to feel contractions but without any pain. This enable me to push my daughter into this world in complete pain free calm and I didnt tear!

I just wanted to let you know this whilst going for a natural birth is great there are other options. Please don't be put off by the higher risk of tearing as many people tear with natural births also.

In regards to your fear off tearing, although it doesn't seem like it now but when you are holding your little one in your arms it will be the last thing on your mind!

Everyone is different. My best advice is knowledge and keep an open mind to everything.