Oh I didn't know the Indian culture also encourages that, that's great to hear! And how nice that your mom came to help you in the beginning with each baby, lots of respect to her for doing that. I didn't have that kind of help myself, but will definitely be doing this for my girls when it's their turn (hopefully not for another 25 years at least!)..
And nice to know you also had a water birth experience, wasn't it just so nice to be floating in water and not have to feel all the pregnancy heaviness? I also had gas and air for both water births, and I do have to say the combination was pretty heavenly, as far as birthing experiences go ;)
Water birth + gas and air is a great pain reliever. I got in to the warm water at the point when I couldn't take any more pain and it was so soothing!...definitely better than having an epidural and lying on a hospital bed which I did the previous two times!
I can imagine! That's why I always recommend water births to my pregnant friends :)