Elly is a waterbaby! I laboured for hours without the pool because it took so long to fill as our hot water system ran out early on, and the difference once I hopped in was unbelievable! I could float on my back in between contractions and flip back forwards to my knees when they hit, no climbing or waddling, and it was amazing catching her myself too. She was so relaxed until I lifted her body out of the water too much and she got chilly. Took another 1 and 1/2 hrs for placenta to come, but delivered in the water just as the middys had convinced me to get out because I was shiverring s badly by then. So our water got pretty bad, but I didn't notice till the next day in the daylight, and we pumped it out the window straight into the garden anyway. Having another home water birth in Aug/Sept too, can't wait! You hear don many first time mothers speak of the horrible pain, and yes the contractions got pretty horrid but my birth was wonderful, best thing I've ever done!