yeah, i reckon the mind is a powerful gift/curse. just look at the whole 'nesting' thing we do when we are preggers...

it's inevitable i reckon for us to compare our mum's experiences with our own. they are the closest to us to have gone through birth (i know that i def thought my labour would progress very similar to hers...BUT it sooo didnt).

may be a silly question, but have you looked into hypnotherapy or some kind of hypnobirth thing? might be cool to see if there is something out there that can help break any concious/subconcious walls that might stall labour.
and you're right, there was alot of pressure last time, from all corners (btw, i can't believe that someone actually told you that you'd be 'begging for a section'...seriously, that is totally bonkers and soooooo not true!).

would be cool if there was some pregnancy/birth meditation course out there...i would soo be joining up for next time.