Other cases of a similar nature are on record. There can be no doubt they are authentic; but at the same time it must be acknowledged that a female is not unlikely to be deceived, by the irregularity which attends the returns of this discharge, late in life. It so happens, too, that just before the change of life takes place, there appears in the constitution of some females a great disposition to pregnancy; so that many who have ceased to bear children for years, or have been hitherto barren through the whole of their married existence, at this time, to the surprise of their friends and themselves, become pregnant.[[13]]
A knowledge of these facts must be useful, as they will tend to allay apprehension at what might be supposed disease, both by the mother and by the hitherto childless woman.
A female must not forget, however, that she may mistake her condition, and that such mistakes are not at all unlikely to arise from the circumstance that the symptoms which naturally accompany the cessation of menstruation, much resemble those of pregnancy. She passes over the menstrual period;—she is struck with this. Other symptoms are soon manifested; the size increases—the breasts even become swollen and painful—the stomach disordered, and the appetite capricious;—flatulence collects in the intestines; and while on this account the size still increases, the air moving about the bowels gives an inward sensation which is mistaken by the female for the plunging of the child. Time alone, or the investigation of the medical attendant, detects the mistake; and the symptoms are then to be easily removed by the exhibition of carminative and purgative medicines, the use of active exercise, and bandaging the distended abdomen.
It must be remembered, also, that suppression of the monthly return may arise from a variety of causes, altogether independent of conception. Every female is aware, that exposure to cold, just before the expected period, is a frequent cause. Different forms of disease, hardship, or mental emotions, may produce the same result. It does not follow, therefore, because a woman ceases to menstruate, she must be pregnant; which naturally presents this inquiry: what dependence, then, is to be placed upon the omission of menstruation as a symptom or sign of pregnancy?
When a female ceases to be unwell, and experiences other symptoms of pregnancy, she must consider her situation as yet uncertain, because these signs are common to disease as well as pregnancy. But if toward the third month, while the suppression continues, she recovers her health, and if her appetite and colour return, she needs no better proof of pregnancy; for under other circumstances her health would remain impaired, and even become worse.[[14]]
Morning Sickness.
Soon after conception, the stomach often becomes affected with what is called “morning sickness.” On first awaking, the female feels as well as usual, but on rising from her bed qualmishness begins, and perhaps while in the act of dressing, retching takes place.
This symptom may occur almost immediately after conception; but it most frequently commences for the first time between two or three weeks after. Now and then it is experienced only the last six weeks or two months of pregnancy, when it is attended, generally, with much distress and discomfort. And lastly, it is not unfrequently absent altogether.
It continues, more or less, during the first half of pregnancy, and subsides about the time when the movements of the child begin to be felt.
Irritability of the stomach, however, may arise from a variety of causes totally independent of pregnancy, and connected with disease or disordered function. Of what avail, then, it will be asked, is this symptom as a sign of pregnancy? It is so far available:—