2nd time labour Q

My first was quite traumatic due to being young, tired and the tore I got from crowing. I didn't use pain meds even though it was a back labour and lasted 26 hours. 

Did you you find you was more in control the second time? Because I felt the first time the midwifes just told me what to do and I didn't get to have a water birth (midwife said it was occupied which I later found was a lie she just couldn't be bothered doing a room transfer).