I just had a homebirth yesterday after having had a traumatic hospital birth with my first DD. The experience was soooo different. In hospital I felt trapped, terrified, paralyzed by fear and pain, and unable to cope or help myself. Everything was being done TO me and I was completely at the mercy of the several people "assisting". The trauma of the experience didn't affect me at first as I dismissed it thinking "this is just what giving birth" but let me say, it's NOT!
The second time around, I was able to cope with the pain easily. Despite having an epi, narcotic AND gas the first time and nothing the second time, I was physically waaay more comfortable the second time. So much so in fact I was totally surprised when the urge to push came, I didn't even realize I'd transitioned lol. I don't want to play down how intense it was but just that it wasn't scary, I was able to cope because I was relaxed and comfortable and cared for. I never felt cared for in hospital.

HTH