Before closing this chapter, let me repeat and emphasize, “Do not force the appetite.” Food which neither relishes nor digests will do more harm than good. Tradition and prejudice have all conspired to so engrave in your being that you must not only eat, but stuff, because you are eating for two, that both you and your friends think food must be taken at all hazards. So, what is your custom? You rise in the morning sick and disgusted. The very smell of food is intolerable. Still you sit at the table instead of getting away from it, and eat probably beefsteak and hot bread, washed down by a cup of coffee. Of course you must take what is the most nourishing! These are scarcely swallowed until you have proofs that so much provision is wasted.
By nine o’clock you make another attempt. You go to the pantry, find some cold chicken, a piece of lemon pie, and a pickle. But no, the stomach refuses these. At eleven o’clock a confidential friend calls. She commiserates you, and knows that both you and the fetus will starve. She goes to her own larder, brings you a piece of pound cake, some custard and jelly; possibly a piece of mince pie. Do these share the same fate? Perhaps not. Her cheery laugh and neighborly sympathy, and the more propitious time of day, make it possible for this to be retained. But pause, my friend. Has the blood received the best nutriment for building a healthy organization for yourself or child?
Very little, if any extra food is essential to nourish the fetus, especially the first few weeks of pregnancy. The total average increase of weight is less than one-half an ounce a day, and one-fourth of this would be an approximate estimate for the first three months. It can readily be seen that simply the suppression of the menses would give nearly, if not quite, all the extra nutriment for the first few weeks, at least. Appropriate food, and the proper conditions for assimilation are far more important than increase in quantity.
CHAPTER V.
Diseases of Pregnancy.—Constipation.
Constipation of the bowels is not only a frequent attendant upon pregnancy, but is a common ailment of both men and women. From year to year this symptom is on the increase, until fully nine-tenths of the American women and one-half of the men are afflicted with it.
Every person should have a free, soluble, satisfactory evacuation of the bowels daily. In pregnancy especially, not for one day should constipation be allowed.
Constipation is usually the first notice of bodily derangement, and may be the precursor of a chronic state of ill health. The approach, too, of this affection may be insidious, existing when the subject is not aware of it. The evacuations may be regular, yet not sufficiently free and copious to be compatible with health.
The slightest torpidity of the bowels results in retention of residual matter, which becomes reabsorbed into the system, acting as a foreign and poisonous substance. Other organs of elimination must, on this account, be overtaxed, in the vain attempt to overcome the obstruction.
The urine becomes thick, turbid and highly colored, if not offensive. The skin emits an offensive odor and sooner or later becomes dry and scaly. The surface, from obstruction of the pores and venous capillaries, is alternately hot and cold, making the person sensitive to drafts and changes in temperature. The lungs must do double duty and the breath is loaded with offensive exhalations. Here is the beginning of most cases of catarrh, bronchitis and phthisis. Indeed, there is no disease of the human organism which may not be traced to constipation.
What are the principal causes of constipation?