FTM: Congrautulations on your pregnancy & I want to say it's great that you are exploring your birthing options. Educating yourself on choices available to you and what resonates with you is an important part of the journey to Mother.

Waterbirth I can attest is a beautiful, calm and safe way to birth your baby into this world. If you click on the link in my signature you can see photos of one of my births...

It can be challenging to find a hospital that will support water immersion in labour. However there are places that will and hopefully in time the numbers of hospitals that support waterbirth will grow.

If you cannot find a hospital that fills your needs you could consider a homebirth. Most homebirth (if not all) are experienced with water birth.

Options in birth are very important for you may feel like you want a waterbirth but want to get out of the tub at the last minute. (I did this with my son - it felt very important actually urgent to birth "on land"). Without options we run the risk of stifling the natural urges, responses and energy of birth. So, if your local hospital doesn't support water use - petition them. Write letters etc. Activisim & speaking of your experience is a positive way to action change.

Someone mentioned using the tub but sitting on the plug. I believe this is both potentially dangerous and disrespectful to your careprovider. Forcing a midwife to assist you to deliver your baby in a method she is not comfortable or educated with can be dangerous for your baby. Forcing a midwife (by refusing to get out of the tub or sitting on the plug) sets up a negative and distrustful energy around the birth - birth needs to be as honest and open as possible. It is one of the most sacred events in this world - tainting it intentionally is not a good vibe. Think of the midwife who also may not be covered by indemnity under hospital policy.

I hope you can source out a model of care and options that are in sync with your values.

There are far more options than water or bed. There are lots in between that can help with pain relief. An active labour has the most favourable outcomes. Squatting during contractions, hip swivelling, pulling down from (fixed and strong!) furniture, shower on your back, hot packs etc.

An epidural is not going to happen in water due to the lack of movement and monitoring required. Opiates (pethidine) cannot be used as they will make you too drowsy. Some places will have portable gas - but generally using water means that very little pain relief is needed. Water is a fabulous way of decreasing your discomfort!

Wishing you a beautiful birth...