Giving birth is one of the most exciting part of your life. 
The birthing process is over before you know it. When you get to the point where you want to push you know the time is near to see your precious baby. It is very uncomfortable especially for the first time mom. All the tissues have to stretch for the first time. The perineum has to stretch in order for the baby to be born. Some books call this "the ring of fire". I have also heard some women calling this sensation a rug burn. Most women know the time is near and are very excited to see the baby.
What position you give birth in is really up to you. I have delivered babies in about every position that you can think about. I allow the mom to get in any position that she feels comfortable in as long as there is progress being made and the baby's hearttones are within it's normal range. Usually though, I have found that moms are looking for guidance at this point. My advice is that you go to the library and see if they have any books on natural childbirth. You will also cover this in your childbirth classes. But study the different positions for birth practice them, visualize how you might feel at the time of birth to prepare mentally for the birthing experience.
Some mothers want to birth in the water. Usually the mom buys a small blow up pool 22"by 60". This allows room to move around. Some moms have garden tubs, they are big enough to give birth in. Look in your yellow pages to see if there is even a birthing pool distributor in your area. We have a woman here who owns a portable jacuzzi. The rental varies in where your location is $125-250.
Water is a good tool to help the mom to relax in labor. We call water the midwife's epidural. For some moms it gives instant relief.
The advantages of waterbirth are:
1) Mom can have immediate relief.
2) Mom relaxes which allows the labor to progress.
3) Mom's perineum is more relaxed so does not need as much massage. Sometimes does not need any massage.
4) The baby is born into a nice warm environment.
The advantages outweighs the disadvantages of water.
The disadvantages of having a water birth are:
1) Mom sometimes has a bowel movement while pushing the baby out making the water unclean.
2) Mom is restricted to the area of the tub.
3) If the baby is large and has shoulder dystocia, movement is limited.
4) If the midwife needs to cut an episotomy you have to be moved.
5) If baby need to be resusitated.
6) If mom hemorrhages after the birth, it is hard to determine the amount.
Discuss your plans with your midwife. Barbara Harper has a wonderful book out and video, try to locate a copy for yourself.
Remember even if you don't have a water birth, the water tub is great for laboring in.
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