Hi,
I have had three births and only managed to make it in the water for the last one. I labour very quickly, I have no signs of labour and within one or two contractions I am in transition. This means heavy duty full on contractions straight away. the last baby when I hopped into the water it was the BEST feeling ever. It was so nice to be in there and feel the difference and the ability to relax.
The things i liked about birthing in water were:
The incredible relief when I stepped in.
It was my own space, no-one came in there with me so i never felt crowded.
Its a place where it's hard for too many hands to be touching you and to see how you are going (middy's)
It certainly helped the skin soften and stretch leaving me wound free after birth. In fact it was like I hadn't even given birth within minutes after she came out, no bruising no swelling NOTHING!!! (think this is to do with the water and pre massage)
I was able to get into positions much easier and found comfort in the ease of movement

The only dislike was that it got a little hot in there, when the water cooled it was great, but because it was 'too' cool in the water we had to take bubs out of there not long after birth to save her temp dropping!!


You can plan to be open to being in the water, some people really don't like it. You can always get out if you don't, but I am sure you will enjoy it some time during the labour.

Go well