Better babies and their care

by Anna Steese Richardson

During the months of pregnancy the physician thus consulted will follow the changes in his patient and study particularly her nervous condition.

The nurse chosen should also be congenial to the expectant mother, who will depend upon her for assistance and comfort in the last trying hours before actual confinement. The engagement with the nurse should be so made as to insure her freedom to answer the call at least a week in advance. It is poor economy to let a nurse work on another case up to the last moment. Better to pay for a week of idleness and be in command of her services. To prevent misunderstanding, the date on which her pay is to begin, irrespective of the actual date of confinement, should be named definitely.

A few weeks before the date on which the confinement is expected the nurse should come to the house and make herself thoroughly familiar with the plan of the rooms, the water supply, closets, etc. There is nothing more trying for the expectant mother than to have a nurse arrive at the last moment, asking questions and locating needed articles, when she should be rendering service.

When the woman is confined in her own home, the nurse is engaged to remain at least two weeks after the baby is born, and three or four weeks, if the family purse will permit.

In cities the custom of going to a hospital for confinement is growing steadily. It is recognized that the hospital is cheaper, safer and more convenient. The sanitation is perfect, danger from infection is practically nil, and there are expert nurses and house physicians at hand should an emergency arise. It is cheaper because the hospital equipment is at the command of all patients; while, in the home, individual equipment must be bought outright. Moreover, if labor is normal, a special nurse is not required at the hospital, but the patient is cared for by the ward or corridor nurse.

There are women, however, for whom the hospital holds a terror which doctor, husband and friends cannot eradicate. Other women have a deep sentiment or home instinct. They do not want to be taken from the familiar environment of their family. When the question has been placed before the woman in every possible light, and she elects to remain at home, undue pressure should not be brought to bear upon her. The result to her nervous and mental condition may be quite serious.

The room in which the mother will be confined at home should be the most comfortable, cheerful, and the best ventilated room in the house. If there is any room which has an open fireplace, this should be selected, as it improves the ventilation and makes the room cheerful. Two sets of shades, light and dark, should be provided; but heavy hangings, upholstered furniture and dusty carpets should be removed. Small, clean rugs on the floor, and simple, light furniture, which can be easily moved about, are preferable.

A strong single or three-quarter bed is better than the double size, and it should be so placed that it can be reached from all sides by the nurse and doctor. If it is possible to rent a high iron bed, such as is used in hospitals, the work of the doctor and nurse will be lightened. If this cannot be done, a bed of ordinary height can be raised on four strong blocks of wood.

There should be an ample supply of old soft night-dresses, either open all the way down the front or, better still, open in the back and tied at the neck with tapes. For the mother’s convalescence there should be, especially in cold weather, dainty short negligées or dressing-sacques in softly tinted silk and wool, albatross, or outing flannel.

For the home confinement the following equipment should be purchased under the direction of doctor or nurse: