As others have said, first birth and traumatic birth do not necessarily go hand in hand.

Getting informed on birth and your options, having great support people and following your own instincts rather than what the ob says, will all help a whole heap though!

FWIW, I had my first baby last year - labour started on its own with waters breaking spontaneously (all over my bed!), DS was born 2 and a half hours later, no drugs/intervention whatsoever (no time really, by the time I got to hospital). I had an independent midwife and delivered at a birth centre. I think my story is an exception though, as the labour/birth was too short to even consider intervention. I was so pleased that it was a shortish labour, however some people tell me that it could have been more painful and intense than longer labours but I have nothing to compare it to so who knows!

Nonetheless, I'm so glad I did my research, joined BB, educated my DP, and employed an independent midwife. I felt more prepared and relaxed and I knew my options. HTH!