experience of labour second time around

[Mog]

I'm fast approaching the birth of my second child and would love to hear people's experience of the second time. Did painful (literally!) memories come flooding back with the first contraction or did you feel you had learnt so much from the first time that the whole thing was easier to cope with.

Cha - LOL!!! Second experience much better than first (pethidine plus gas and air, therefore a bit "drunk"; tear and epi, ventouse - took 2 hours to sort out therefore no skin-to-skin with dd1); much more involved in labour (no gas and air) and no stitches!

My first labour started on due date after membrane sweep by doctor, but I think I managed to sleep through most of mild contractions. Second labour I was more aware of contractions as happened early evening, but much "preferred" (if that's the right word to use!) second labour as felt much more in control, plus had excellent midwives second time compared to really "off" midwife the first time (different hospitals).