i gave birth to DS in a public hospital. i was induced & had constant monitoring as well as being on a drip. despite this, i was able to request a wireless monitor so, while i was still attached to the drip, i could move around. i was encouraged to be in positions other than on my back, on the bed & was able to request (and have) a ball to sit on. this time (still public but diff hospital) i have been offered the opportunity to hire a TENS machine and also encouraged to take part in physio classes before the birth.
despite being induced & being hooked up to various machines, the midwives made clear that they would not be offering pain relief unless i asked about it - they left the decision to me to actually request rather than just offering (i think this is fairly standard?).
As OP have said it really depends on the hospital and the care givers.
I have been fortunate enough to have given birth in a fantastic rural hospital that offer ALL types of things to ensure the mothers birth of her baby goes smoothly. Pain relief options can include the gas, sterile water injections, pethadine, TENS machines, Epidurals etc. they have showers and large baths in all the labour rooms, fit balls, matts, beds, monitoring machines, you can bring in electric oil burners, music, they can dim the lights anything really.
The ONLY thing they won't allow is a water birth. Once you start pushing you must get out from the bath and I think my shower was turned off at that point but I wasn't paying attention to that
I only had midwives and hubby in with me and a Dr came in to stitch me up post delivery,
Again not every place allows so much freedom, though so I count my blessings.
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