Using water for comfort is a time-honoured method of making labour easier! Immersion in water is particularly helpful, although sitting in a hot shower can also do wonders. Read the birth stories of women who have used water for pain relief.

Karina's story
Karina waited for 42 weeks before she finally was able to have her baby as she had dreamed - peacefully, in the water.

Meghan's story
Meghan found the days before her second baby arrived to be full of emotional challenges, but once labour got going, she found herself compelled to focus on the birth and found labouring in the tub a lovely relief.

Liz's story
Liz had the labour she always imagined - she used several comfort measures and had wonderful support from her husband and doula. She coped beautifully and felt strong and in control. But after many hours with no progress, Liz and her husband Jimmy chose to have a caesarean. They found their entire experience positive and affirming.

Jeffrey's story
Read Jeffrey's hilarious and touching account of his baby's birth -- a must-read for every dad-to-be!

Lisette's story
Lisette and Jan wanted to have their second baby at home, as is common practice in their home country. They planned carefully and were well prepared. After several frustrating days when labour seemed to start only to stop again, Lisette gave birth to a second daughter at home as planned, after a short labour.

Kerry's story
Kerry and Thom travelled to Singapore from their home in Indonesia to have their first baby. They liked the idea of having someone familiar and experienced to be present at their birth in a strange city where they knew practically no one, so they chose to have a doula support them during pregnancy and birth. After a long and challenging labour, and reaching the point where she was almost ready to give up, Kerry sat in Thom's arms on a birth stool to give birth to their baby girl.

Mary's story
Mary and Dan planned a homebirth for the birth of their second baby. Mary describes in wonderful detail the comfort measures and techniques she used as she moved through each stage of labour, including visualization, using heat packs and a bath, and vocalization.

Kara's story (Avery's birth)
Kara was planning a vaginal birth after a caesarean (VBAC) for her second baby, but experienced complications during labour and had a repeat caesarean birth. This time, however, her caesarean was a far more positive experience.

Elise's story
Elise had her second child naturally. Up until the day she went into labour, her daughter had been in the breech position (head down), but turned after an external cephalic version done by her doctor on her due day.

Veronica's story
Veronica had her first baby gently and without pain-relieving drugs after an induction with prostaglandin 11 days past her due date. Veronica was supported by her husband, sister, and doula, and returned home just hours after her baby was born.

Harlinah's story
After a very long posterior labour, Harlinah had her first child with the support of her husband and two doulas.