Water Birth Experiences?

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Hi, I am only 13w-ish but already discussing birth plans with midwife. She has recommended trying water birth, or at least using the pool for pain relief during labour and after reading about it, I am really game for trying to have baby in the pool. She also said to try other methods of pain relief and only use epidural as last resort, as she said that in her experience it slows labour down.

However, as usual had differing opinions from friends/ family etc. with my mum's comment being 'if they offer you epidural, take it', but I'm not keen. Have two friends who have had epidural and both needed assisted delivery (forceps and ventuous). The idea of water birth (or using pool in later stages of labour) with gas and air sounds good to me, if I can hack the pain, and I was wondering if anyone had any recent experiences of it? Thanks

Lovely lovely lovely lovely
(I say that to people and then have to add that it was still bloody agony)
Didn't really plan it, as wasn't sure a pool would be available. But it was calm, warm and just lovely.
Only bit that was harder than previous three labours was the transition - I think something about being 'freer' physically (ie not on a bed or even on your legs) was that I flailed around quite a lot during that stage - its the first time I've ever experienced such a classic transition feeling of panic, and it wasn't nice !

But I delivered my daughter myself, on my knees, and holding her up to me afterwards in a lovely warm (surprisingly clean) bath, was just incredible. Even writing this makes me want to cry with joy !