I've also heard, though, that the parents tend to freak out with the first one, and that the second one seems easier because you've already been through all the baby stuff once and now you have some experience and know (roughly) what you're doing.
My mom had 3 kids so the 2nd one (my sister) couldn't have been bad enough to prevent a 3rd (my brother). I, needless to say, as an oldest child, was perfect.
