Tips for normal delivery?

Question

Please can you suggest what all things needed to be done to reduce the labor time and promote normal delivery
From what I have browsed:
Having dates 5 a day would reduce the total labor into half. For first time mother's it is down from 15 hours to 8.5 hours
Is epidural safe? I'm getting mixed reviews that once we reach 40 yrs back pain starts and never goes off
To crawl on hands and knees so baby can be heads down 
To do squats but at same time I'm getting negative comments that it never helps and it even alter the baby position
And posterior placenta prolongs labor
Vigorous exercise makes labour long and painful so to do it in moderation
Hypnotic birth helps but it is not available in our country. 
Not sure which one to take and leave.. i'll due in a month and I don't know how to face the labor pain boldly.

Answer

There is absolutely zero proof that any of those things make any difference. The truth of the matter is that labour is what it is, and everyone is different. 
Just go into with a basic idea of what you want, but also remember that delivering a healthy baby and keeping you safe is what’s most important. If you need pain meds or an epidural so that you have the strength to push, take the meds. If you are told a c-section is best for baby, take the c-section. Go in with an open mind and that way you won’t feel upset that your “birth plan” didn’t go to plan. It rarely does!

Answer

You can try all of these things, but there is nothing that can guarantee a shorter labor or easier delivery. But these things certainly won’t hurt so it’s worth a shot!!
Epidurals are considered safe, but with all medical procedures there are risks. I’ve had two and haven’t had any bad side effects. My mom had 6 and hasn’t had any problems. Odds are you probably won’t have any issues. To me, they’re worth the risk 😅 
I wish I had more advice on how to prepare yourself mentally for labor, but I haven’t really found anything to be that helpful personally so I’m not a good resource on that. I just kind of go into it with the mentality that nothing lasts forever, it’ll be over eventually, and I get my baby at the end.

Answer

Looks like I’ll be having a long and painful labor then because I still work out 7 days a week. 
I’m going to guess that is false as my doctor told me to keep working out as long as I feel good enough to do it.

Answer

Every woman is different. It’s really just a mind game. The more mentally prepared you are, the more relaxed you are, and the more likely your body is going to be able to do what it needs to do naturally without intervention. 
I recommend reading Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method

Answer

If you want answers to these question check out homebirth groups! This group is so far from natural it’s scary! That being said, trust your body and that it knows why to do! Avoid interventions! Walk often! Semen helps soften the cervix which aids dilation! Nipple stimulation and orgasms help with uterine contractions! Avoid vaginal checks (they are risky and give no valuable info) Congrats on searching and educating yourself on things like the epidural! They do have side effects for babes and moms, in my opinion they aren’t worth the risk! That being said my grandmother had 4 csections (because doctors screwed her over long story) and to this day at almost 80 she has severe back pain and if anyone touches the spot she got the epidural she would scream in pain! I had an epidural because I was lied to and told there was no risk and it bruised my back! I ended up losing spinal fluid resulting in a blood patch, and 11 yrs later I still have discoloration and pain that is visibly seen on X-ray! So continue that research girl, surround yourself by empowering women, and have faith in your baby and body to do this!!!

Answer

You should read Ina May. Her focus is natural birth, but it could help even with a hospital birth. Also, there are books and cds to learn hypnobirthing techniques so you don’t have to have a person who does that with you. What country are you in?

Answer

To be honest these sound like wives tales... labor will be different for each person each time. I think you just need to be prepared to go with the flow and make decisions as they come based on how you feel. I've heard exercising regularly actually helps and as others have said epidurals are pretty safe but just like any other medical intervention they do come with risks. I've had 2 with no side effects but both times I didn't rush into getting mine I went into it open to get or not get one based on how things went and how I was feeling so for both I didn't have my epi in long since I took the wait and see approach. Do what feels right to you!

Answer

I'm a new mom so I don't have any advice from experience but every one has told me to walk everyday a little bit, it will help make labor easier. Idk if it's true but I take the stairs at work (very slowly lol) and try to walk here and there without over doing it. Fingers crossed it helps!

Answer

Lol you can plan all you want for labor and delivery but it never goes exactly how you plan it

Tips for normal delivery?

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