Читать книгу Mother, Nurse and Infant - S. P. Sackett - Страница 7

Table of Contents

There are no signs of a fruitful conjugation, which in all cases indicate to the woman that she is pregnant. Some few seem to know the exact time; in some instances there is faintness, or vertigo, that in these particular cases impress the fact upon the mind of the woman. But usually, within a month, the point is tolerably certain, she being assured by such signs as will be here pointed out. It now becomes her duty to be especially careful, not only for herself, but also for her offspring. Abortions frequently occur, especially in the first and last pregnancies, and in the first months of pregnancy, these should be avoided if possible.

The train of evils which follow when the habit of abortion is established, as well as the moral obligation she is under to preserve the life committed to her, should make her willing to endure the few privations and conformities which her situation imposes on her. She must avoid undue exercise of the muscles, such as long walks, dancing in hot weather, hastily running up stairs, lifting heavy weights; she must avoid things that inordinately hurry the circulation, such as heated rooms, stimulating liquors, etc.; she must not overload the stomach, or eat late suppers; she must not take drastic purgatives; must not constipate her bowels by taking laudanum, etc.; must not compress the chest by tight lacing; must not use strong tea or narcotics; must not lie long in warm feather beds, and must not engage in severe study, night watching, etc.

The pregnant woman need not indulge in a wayward or voracious appetite, and, although there is a tendency to fullness and fever, she need not necessarily be bled.

The pregnant woman needs fully as much food as usual, but she must avoid excess in eating and drinking. Ripe fruits, lamb, veal, fresh fish, milk, coffee, and, in general, every thing which agrees with the stomach may be eaten; the taste, as a rule, is a safe guide, and may be reasonably indulged. After the sixth month, she may properly eat four or five meals a day.

The best plan of treatment for one to adopt who has longings is not to give way to them, unless the longings be of a harmless, simple nature.

The CLOTHING of the pregnant woman should be suited to the season; but as the vicissitudes of the weather affect her more than they previously did, she should be dressed rather warm. In general, she should wear flannel drawers, especially during advanced pregnancy.

Many women have done themselves an injury by lacing tight to conceal their pregnancy. The dress should be loose and comfortable, nowhere pressing tightly or unequally.

Stays or corsets may be used, in a proper manner, during the first five or six months; they should be moulded to the shape of the changing figure, and must not depress the nipple or the enlarging breasts. The garters ought to be worn slack; tight garters are very injurious, and if the veins are enlarged or varicose, it will be necessary for her to wear an elastic silk stocking.

Moderate exercise in the open air is proper during the period of pregnancy, and walking is a good kind of exercise; but very long walks, and dancing, ought not to be indulged in. Riding in a wagon over rough roads, and railway traveling, are objectionable.

Bathing should be practiced with great care. A warm bath is too relaxing; a tepid bath once a week is beneficial. Sponging the body every morning with lukewarm water may be practiced, and the skin should be quickly dried with a coarse towel. The temperature of the water may be reduced gradually until it is quite cold. A sitz bath may be used every morning, although it is best to sit in it but a few seconds. If it gives a slight shock, it will be immediately followed by an agreeable glow. Put a little warm water with the cold at first.

Ventilation is of the utmost importance. During the day time, the windows in every unoccupied room in the house ought to be thrown open.

Attention should be directed to keeping the atmosphere in the sitting and sleeping rooms of the house fresh. Many poor people sleep in a very small, close bedroom, and breathe an air that is really poisonous. The lady should see also that the house is kept light, that the drains are in good and perfect order; that the privies are frequently emptied of their contents, and that the drinking water supply be not contaminated.

Sleep, by its sedative influence, and by the calmness of all the functions that attend it, has a favorable influence upon the disturbed nervous system of the mother, and upon the growth of the fœtus. Her bedroom ought to be large and airy, and she should not have curtains closely drawn about her bed. The windows of the room should be opened during the day; the bedclothes should be thrown back, and everything ventilated; the bed must not be loaded with clothes, and the bedroom at night should be dark, and as far as possible from noise. These things will tend to secure sleep; but if the pregnant woman should still be restless, and feeling oppressed and hot, she should perhaps admit more air into the room. Let her also attend every day to her bowels, that they be not allowed to become costive; perhaps eat cooling fruits, live on an abstemious diet, and if there is a feeling of faintness when she attempts to lie down, she should have a bed so arranged that her shoulders and head are elevated.

The pregnant woman ought to retire early to rest, and I would advise her to lie abed in the morning as long as she can sleep well. If she cannot sleep well, let her get up in good time in the morning, take a bath, or thorough ablution, a stroll in the garden, an early breakfast, and then perhaps a short walk, while the air is cool and exhilarating. A nap of an hour or two after that, upon a sofa or lounge, will prove very refreshing.

A TRANQUIL MIND is of the greatest importance. Forebodings of a gloomy nature should not be encouraged, as they often are, by relating dismal stories, etc. Unnecessary fear upon the part of the mother may have a bad effect upon the child, as may also the indulgence in unbridled anger, or yielding to temper—perhaps may cause convulsions or hemorrhage, or even abortion. There is reason to believe that the imagination of the mother has an influence on the beauty of the child; and it is quite certain that cheerfulness and equanimity of mind contributes to the future good health of the child, and may even affect its disposition and mental traits.