Has anyone experienced a water birth? Is it really pain free? Would love to hear about real experiences :)

My second cousin gave birth to her baby at home using a birth pool. I definitely don't know painless it is but I was there while she gave birth. According to what she said and what I saw it definitely isn't pain free. But less pain yes as this was her second delivery, she was able to compare it. As i was right there, I can give u a summary about. My cousin had setup the pool almost 4 days in advance. The day she got her first contractions, she informed her midwife (she had her since first trimester) and texted us (our other cousins and me). By the time we reached there she was sitting inside the pool and her midwife ws giving her a back massage. Her midwife informed that she was almost 7 cms dilated. my cousin was inside the pool for almost 5 hrs . whenever she came out she used to feel more pain thats y she preferred being in the water. Around 7 pm, her midwife (who was also constantly checking her BP) checked that she ws 10 cm dilated and could push. After around 40 mins, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy :) The midwife cut the umbical cord and after a while gave my cousin stitches. It was a really beautiful experience. We helped my cousin sleep in the bed and left when everyone was almost alseep :)