The child's clothing should consist first of a piece of flannel or some woollen material for a binder. This should be from four to six inches in width, and from twelve to sixteen inches in length; that is to say, wide enough to extend from the armpits to the lower part of the abdomen, and long enough to go once and a half times around the child, having the double fold to come over the abdomen. There should be no embroidery about this. A shirt, which it is desirable should be woollen, is to be provided to place over the binder. It should be made to come up tolerably high in the neck, and to extend down the arm. Neither it nor any other portion of the child's clothing should be starched. The petticoat, which may be open its whole length behind, is to be put over the shirt; two may be used—a short and a long one. Next comes the child's ordinary frock or slip, and above this an apron to protect the dress from the frequent discharges from the stomach. Then a shawl, of flannel or any other warm material, is to be provided, to throw over the shoulders if the weather be cold. Socks, and pieces of old soft linen, free from stiffening, for napkins or diapers, complete the child's outfit.
For the permanent and temporary dressing of the bed there should be provided a piece of impervious cloth (oiled silk is the neatest) about a yard square; a piece of ordinary table oil-cloth or rubber-cloth; a number of old sheets and comfortables, and a piece of thick carpet. The manner in which these are to be used will be explained shortly.
A pair of small rounded scissors; a package of large pins, one and a half inches in length, for the bandage of the mother, and smaller ones for that of the child; some good linen bobbin for the doctor to tie the navel-string; good toilet soap and fine surgical sponge for washing the child; a piece of soft linen or muslin for dressing the navel; a box of unirritating powder; and a pile of towels,—should all be had and laid aside many weeks before they are wanted. These, together with the material for dressing the bed, the child's clothing, and the mother's bandage, ought to be placed together in a basket got for the purpose, in order that they may all be easily and certainly found at a time when perhaps the hurry and excitement of the moment would render it difficult otherwise to collect them all immediately.
SIGNS OF APPROACHING LABOR.
One of the earliest of the preliminary signs of the coming on of confinement occurs about two weeks before that event. It is a dropping or subsidence of the womb. The summit of that organ then descends, in most cases, from above to below the umbilicus, and the abdomen becomes smaller. The stomach and lungs are relieved from pressure, the woman breathes more freely, the sense of oppression which troubled her previously is lost, and she says she feels 'very comfortable.' This sensation of lightness and buoyancy increases, and a few days before the setting in of labor she feels so much better that she thinks she will take an extra amount of exercise. The mother of a number of children is acquainted with this sign, but the wife with her first child may exert herself unduly in the house or outdoors, and induce labor when in the street or away from home. Hence the importance of a knowledge of this premonitory symptom.
A second precursory sign of labor is found in the increased fulness of the external parts, and an augmented mucous secretion, which may amount even to a discharge resembling whites, and requiring the wearing of a napkin. This symptom is a good one, indicating a disposition to relaxation, and promising an easy time.
The third preliminary sign which we shall mention, is the change in the mental state of the pregnant woman. She has a feeling of anxiety and of fidgetiness, sometimes accompanied with depression of spirits. This condition of emotional distress, modified in particular cases by reason, self-control, and religion, may continue for several days, perhaps, when
THE SYMPTOMS OF ACTUAL LABOR
make their appearance. The first of these is generally the 'show.' It is the discharge of the plug of mucus which has occupied the neck of the womb up to this time, and is ordinarily accompanied by a little blood. Perhaps before this, or perhaps not for some hours after, the 'pains' will develope themselves. These recur periodically, at intervals of an hour or half an hour at the outset, and are 'grinding' in character. True labor pains are distinguished from false by the fact that they are felt in the back, passing on to the thighs, while false pains are referred to the abdomen; by their intermittent character, the spurious pains being more or less continuous; and by the steady increase in their frequency and severity. In case of doubt as to their exact nature, the doctor should be summoned, who will be able to determine positively whether labor has begun.
The other symptoms which point to the actual commencement of labor are a frequent desire to empty the bowels and bladder, nausea and vomiting, which, in the early part of confinement, is a good sign; shiverings, unattended with any sensation of cold; and, finally, the rupture and discharge of the contents of the 'bag of waters.'