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hi JNFR614. I was actually due to be induced the day after i had her. i found it really helped me to relax and im convinced it helped me to dilate much quicker than if i was labouring on a bed. with me though, she was lying against my spine so everytime i had a contraction it threw my back into alot of pain. so with all that back pain i couldnt actually feel any contractions. my mum said that she had the same with her first baby and that contractions that arent in your back are much easier to deal with. i was contracting every 2 minutes from being 2cm dilated at 5am to fully dilated at 10am! i was told i could not actually give birth in the pool as it was the hospitals regulations. so next time with baby number 2 i would definately look into going to a birthing centre or a hospital where you are allowed to have a water birth. are you planning on a home birthing pool or using the hospitals? it might be worth asking them if they would allow you to have a water birth as some do and some don't. i was also told that if i was to be induced they would want me to stay labouring on the bed as they constantly monitor baby's heartbeat and your heartbeat, but again different hospitals operate differently. ive heard that iducement contractions and natural contractions are about the same level of pain, just inducement contractions tend to be more regular. i would definately suggest you try as hard as you can for the birthing pool because it is lovely to be able to relax alot better inbetween contractions and also the contractions (to me anyway) felt less strong whilst i was in the pool. some hospitals tell you that you can't use a birthing pool if there are not enough midwives on shift, luckily i went into labour at 5am in the morning on a monday and there were plenty on at the time. they like you to drink plenty of water whilst in the pool so you do not dehydrate and they like to have a midwife with you most of the time to check you don't faint. they can monitor you just the same as if you were on a bed, as they are experts in what to look for and tell tale signs, apparently if there are small bits of blood in the pool it means you are almost completely dilated. keep me updated on what happens and i hope you manage to get a birthing pool, its definately worth it and a good natural form of pain relief. my mums got a picture of me whilst in labour in the pool and i actually don't look that bad, i look like im half asleep! i can't recommend it enough! best of luck with everything xx