post #21 of 21

I agree that water birth is definitely not pain free, but I does take the edge off the contractions, especially with back labor.  I haven't torn with my 2nd and 3rd births, and only my 3rd was an actual water birth.  I did labored in the water with my 2nd, though, which really sped things up since I was able to relax and just focus on handling the waves instead of dreading the pain.   Â