BETH, I agree with you and i think you did a good job at telling your story that exaculy how it is, i couldnt of put it any better myself.
Everyone is affaid of childbirth at first, because it is something we have never experienced before, something we dont know alot about. But we are in the best hands and around people that deal with this everyday. Just try and not think about the pain and just think about why you are going to have to do through it all, if the pain gets too bad just take all the pain relief that is available- thats what it is there for haha!

I was so scared when i was due to give birth with my first child, but towards the end of my pregnancy i developed pre'eclempsia, it was horrible and i couldnt wait to get it out!! The pain is the worst pain you will ever experience but it is also a pain you are experiencing for a reason- if that makes sense.
What helped me thur it all was thinking about my baby daughter, how she will look, if it will be love at first sight ect.. i just tryed to block out all the pain by thinking things like thata and it worked for me!

Luckily for me i was only in labour for 2&half hrs, with NO pain relief- which i was very pleased about! looking back now it wasnt as bad as everyone maded it out to be, and funnily enough i kind of enjoy it all in one way because i knew i was going to be getting something out for it and i was doing it so i could be one step closer to holding my baby girl.

Good luck, just relax!