Since an epidural is too risky for water birth, is it possible to have pain meds through an iv if you're giving a water birth? or is that risky also?

Water birth: You can have IV pain meds during a water birth, but IV pain meds are not as ideal for the baby as they do cross the placenta and can affect the baby with sedation, decreased respiratory effort, decreased feeding, etc. Would talk to your OB about what is most important in your birth plan - is it the water birth, pain control, possible affect on infant etc, and then plan based on those priorities.