The patient’s clothes, like every other detail in her care, will have to be adapted to her environment and mode of living. If her house is well and evenly heated during the cold months, she may quite safely dress lightly while indoors; if it is not, she should be advised to wear underwear with high neck, long sleeves and drawers, both indoors and out, except when the weather is warm enough to induce free perspiration. At all times, however, the warmth of her clothing must be adjusted to the temperature of the home, the climate and to the state of the weather.
Bearing in mind the importance of diversion and amusements, it becomes apparent that in addition to the hygienic qualities mentioned, the expectant mother’s clothes should be as pretty and becoming as is consistent with her circumstances. She is much more likely to go about and mingle with her friends if she is fortified with the consciousness that she is becomingly and well dressed. Which, of course, is not peculiar to pregnant women.
The expectant mother’s clothes should be so made that their weight will hang from the shoulders instead of from the waistband.
And that brings us to the question of corsets, one of the most discussed garments in her wardrobe. Women who have not been accustomed to wearing corsets will scarcely feel the need of adopting them during pregnancy, except perhaps during the later weeks when the heavy, pendulous abdomen needs to be supported for the sake of comfort. This is particularly true of women who have borne children and whose flaccid abdominal walls give but poor support to the uterus.
Women who have been wearing comfortable, well-fitting corsets probably will not feel the need of making a change until the third or fourth month. By this time the uterus has pushed up out of the pelvis into the abdomen and accordingly the corsets must be so constructed that they will accommodate themselves to an abdomen that is steadily increasing in size and also changing in shape; will provide support for both abdomen and breasts and still not compress nor disguise the figure. To be entirely satisfactory in their adjustability, the maternity corsets must be made of very soft material and have elastic inserts and side, as well as front or back lacings. They should extend well down in front and fit snugly over the hips. The upper part may be fitted with adjustable shoulder-straps that will support the breasts and help to suspend some of the abdominal weight from the shoulders; but at the same time will not interfere with the development of the breasts nor compress the nipples. Many women find great comfort in wearing a short-waisted maternity corset and a brassiere.
The front-lace corset is usually found to be the most satisfactory, for the patient may lace it from below upward while lying on her back. This enables her to draw it in snugly about the hips, below the abdomen, and adjust the garment to the abdominal curve so as to really support, without compressing the uterus. Other excellent corsets lace both front and back and are capable of very comfortable adjustments. If the nurse clearly understands the purpose of a maternity corset, she will be able to explain to her patient why the same style as she ordinarily wears, no matter how large, will not be satisfactory during pregnancy, and may be even harmful.
Even a properly fitting maternity corset may become uncomfortable during the last few weeks of pregnancy, and have to be replaced by an abdominal supporter of linen or rubber. And when this stage is reached, even the woman who has worn no corsets may be made more comfortable by adopting such a support, particularly at night. There are many admirable binders on the market, or the nurse and patient may fashion some such an one as is shown in Figs. [34], [35], [36] and [37]. Comfortable and inexpensive stocking supporters, which meet all practical requirements, may be made by the patient from tapes or strips of muslin. (Figs. [38] and [39].)
Figs. 34, 35, and 36.—Front, side and back views of home-made binder for supporting heavy, pendulous abdomen during later weeks of pregnancy. It is adjusted as the patient lies down, the ends being crossed in the back and pinned to the lower margin of the front, thus giving additional support.
Also breast-binder made of a straight strip of soft cotton material, 10 or 12 inches wide and 2 yards long. This is crossed in front and held with safety pins, the ends being carried over the shoulders and pinned to the back of the binder. It should be snug below the breasts but loose over the nipples. The openings over the nipples show how this binder may be used to support the breasts of the nursing mother. (From photographs taken at the Maternity Centre Association, New York.)
