CONDITIONS WHICH AFFECT THE FERTILITY OF WOMEN
Climate.—It is a well-known fact that more children are born in southern regions than in northern countries. It may be asserted, therefore, that climate affects the fertility of the race.
Station in Life.—Children are more numerous among the poor than among those who are wealthy and enjoy the luxury of riches. This condition cannot, however, be construed as a true expression of fertile efficiency. It is more a comparison of ethics, and when we express it thus we are giving it its most charitable name.
Season of the Year.—The spring of the year, being more favorable to fecundity, exerts an influence over the increase of population. Nursing mothers are as a rule sterile until after weaning time. This is not always so however, and the possibility of pregnancy taking place while nursing a baby, and before menstruation is reestablished must be reckoned with as it occurs quite frequently.
Age.—Age may be said to affect the fertility of women inasmuch as sterility is the natural and proper condition before menstruation is established and after menstruation ceases.
The Tendency to Miscarry.—Because a woman has never given birth to a living child is no proof that she is sterile. Many women have the ability to conceive but for some reason they have acquired the misfortune, or the "knack," of miscarrying. This is a condition of the gravest significance and will be considered at length in its proper place.
The influence of a temporary separation has had excellent results in a great many historical cases. Where the married couple seem to be lacking in some one or other of the emotional or temperamental qualifications, it is advisable to suggest a temporary separation. When this period has expired and they resume marital relationship the element of novelty, acting as a stimulus, quite frequently reestablishes a fertility that was seemingly suspended, or awakens it if conception has never previously taken place.
There are a great many cases on record where, conditions having remained the same, women have become fertile after years of seeming barrenness. It is impossible to explain, or to satisfactorily understand these cases. It is quite common to note cases in which women have never become pregnant until a number of years after marriage, even when the desire to have children existed. There is one case on record of a woman married at eighteen, but although both herself and her husband enjoyed habitual good health, conception did not take place until she was forty-eight years of age when she bore a healthy child. Women should not, therefore, become easily discouraged in the hope of having a baby, especially when they have a clean history, and a healthy body. The conditions may change and may become favorable when hope is about to die.