I have to make it clear that this birth was in the uk but I would like to share my experience with you as it was just amazing and I enjoyed every minute of it - and this technique of birthing can be used anywhere - home, hospital, water or land.
One Saturday evening in December I started having painless regular surges (hypnobirthing word for contractions) - these lasted for about 3 hours and then got weaker and weaker until they stopped completely - I am sure this was due to the fact my eldest daughter would not settle and go to bed and I could not relax into my labour.
I went to bed and woke up the next morning feeling fine - I was now 40+2. It was a Sunday and a very cold day - we all got up and went into town - had a nice lunch and walked around for a while. At 3pm a friend arrived at my home as it was her birthday - we made tea and had cake - at about 5.30 my surges started again and at that time I realised I had had a "show". I called my midwife and she said she would be over in a few hours as long as I did not call her again.
This time I was not going to make the same mistake and called my sister in law to ask her to collect my daughter.
My friend was sooo excited as she had wanted to be present for the birth and it was also her birthday! My surges were so weak and completely painless that I told her I did not think she would be born tonight - also she had work the next day and a daughter of her own to get to school.
At 7.30 my sister in law arrived and we all had another cup of tea - we chatted for almost an hour and everyone left at 8.30ish.
As soon as the door was closed and we were alone I knew I could now birth - I put on my rainbow relaxation cd (the one given to me on my course that I had practised with daily for the last 7 weeks) and I lay on the sofa doing my 20/20 breathing - one of the special breathing techniques also taught. I was comfortable and in no pain - the surges were tight and a bit unfomfortable but certainly not painful.
At 9pm the midwife arrived and had a chat with me about how I felt - she checked the babys heatbeat and left me in peace - I chose not to have any internal exams as I just wanted my body to naturally birth - I trusted in my body to do the job it was meant to.
I asked at 9.30 I asked if I could get into the pool as I knew if I did not do it then I might not be able to - the surges were really close together now and my legs were beginning to ache a little. I went to the bathroom to go to the toilet and then got in the pool. The feeling of weightlessness was just wonderful. I really had to focus on my 20/20 breathing now, and the rainbow relaxation & affirmation cd was playing in the background. I completely relaxed in the water. I was comfortable - the surges were not painful at all but my legs were beginning at ache more - I told the midwife this and she said I was doing really well and coping amazingly. She knew things were close but I had asked not to know any timings. As she left the room to help my husband get some hot water to top up the pool I remember thinking if my legs ache anymore I may need some pain relief - with that thought I shouted out "shes here" I felt her move down. From my notes I know this was 9.55pm I had only been in the water for 20 mins or so. I started my "J" breathing - another HypnoBirthing technique - there was no forced pushing - gently I breathed and nudged her down - at 10.03 her head was out and at 10.06pm our beautiful daughter was born.

This was the most amazing experience of my life - I trusted in myself to birth naturally but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would love my birth and want to do it again the very next day! My only regret is that I did not use these techniques with my first birth.
Hope this is an inspiration to other mothers - first, second or third timers - it is never too late.