Is it normal to be so afraid of birth...

[MontyDog589]

...that you don’t want to have children?

I’m nearly 32. My DH wants us to have kids. I love children and in an ideal world would like to have them - I always thought I would. But now it’s a realistic prospect, I’m just too terrified of childbirth to do it. The terror sometimes stops me from sleeping and I’m not even pregnant. I’m avoiding sex during my fertile period and finding any reason to delay getting pregnant.

Is this normal? Does every woman feel like this and do I just need to get a grip if I want a family? If so, how did you get a grip?

Thank you.

I found watching one born every minute helped me. Just seeing the normality and reality and wondrous of it all. Prepared me well.

Different trusts have really different attitudes to elective cesareans. Mine is very pro choice and I've had no trouble getting one agreed for this pregnancy (had emergency section last time). I recovered really well from the op last time and can't see any difference between the kids in my family born that way via naturally.
Might be worth finding out what your trust are like - some will outright refuse.