I am a first time mom who chose to have my daughter at home. I come from a long line of homebirths, so it just felt right. I am however, the first woman in my family to have a waterbirth and I would suggest everyone do the same. I met Alisa through our midwife, Dixie Story. Alisa had just had her last child as I was begining my first pregnancy. She told me about her experience in the tub and reccomended it. Later I found her on the Birthyear Network and contacted her to rent a birthing tub. I am so glad that I did.
Considering this is my first child, so I have nothing to compare it to; however, I still believe that waterbirthing is the only way to go. I felt such a difference when I got into the tub. The water is soothing, comforting and really helped with the pain. My daughter was born at 4:53pm on Thankgiving day and it was perfect. I was told by many people not to try to plan my birth. That no matter what, it wouldn't be what I expected. Boy were they wrong! My birth experince was perfect and I owe a lot of that to my decision to have a tub, along with the help of a great midwife. I will now rent a birthing tub for every child I have. I couldn't imagine giving birth any other way.
Oh yeah, and I also thank the tub for this, NO TEARING AT ALL! A wonderful birth is possible and I was up and out of the house in just 2 days, still tired, but I felt great.