If the woman faints from loss of blood—and she may also faint from mere debility—you should not be alarmed at the circumstance. People generally make a great deal too much ado when a patient faints. It should be remembered that the object nature has in causing a person to faint from loss of blood, is to arrest the heart’s action, for the most part, so that the blood may, as it were, cease its movement in the uterus, and a coagulum or plug be formed in the orifice of the bleeding vessel or vessels. This is nature’s method of arresting an hemorrhage. This being so, it is no doubt often the case that bringing a person to, is the cause of more harm than good. There should be no hurry; give the patient good air to breathe, and nature will, as a general thing, do her own work better than we can do it for her in these cases.
LETTER XXVII.
ADVICE CONCERNING LABOR.
The Medical Attendant—State of Mind—The Room—State of the Bowels—The Dress—The Bed—The Position, Exercise, Food, and Drink.
It will be inferred, from what I have already said in these letters, that I am in favor of employing a physician, male or female, in all cases of parturition. Most cases, I admit, will get along well without any medical aid whatever; but, as you are well aware, there are exceptions to all rules; and it is for these exceptions that a physician is needed.
In the first place, then, it is always advisable in labor that you call your medical attendant early. If it is worth your while to have aid at all, it is best to have it in good season. The physician himself always prefers to be called early.
Once you have fixed upon your medical attendant, resolve to be guided by him in every particular, and follow his directions faithfully. If you have, from necessity or otherwise, chosen a man-midwife, you need have none of those foolish whims which some among the so-called reformers of the present day would have you to believe.
It is always an unpleasant duty for one to attend a woman in childbed; and be assured that, of all places in the world, a delivery is the last one in which lascivious or lustful excitement is experienced. I wish you, then, one and all, to remember that if it is unpleasant for you to be attended by a man under such circumstances, it is equally so to him. If he is a conscientious and benevolent physician, he will cheerfully do that which he considers his duty to do; but as far as his own personal self is concerned, he would much rather be at home, enjoying its quiet and its sleep, if need be.
In regard to your preparation for labor, I will suppose that you have done all in your power to maintain an equable and healthful state of both mind and body, and that you are resigned to encounter whatever God in His mercy may see fit to bring upon you. If you have done all that you could for yourself, and are still willing and determined to do so, surely you should feel contented; you can do no more.
The Room.—As to the apartment in which you are to be confined, you should take the best one in the house. If possible, you should have one which is well lighted and aired, and which can be readily warmed, if there is need of raising the temperature. If it is in a city, a back room should be preferred in preference to one in front, on account of the noise of the street.
If the labor is to be a tedious one, it is particularly necessary that the air of the apartment be kept as pure as possible. Not only should the strictest attention be paid to ventilation, but all odors and perfumes should be dispensed with. These do no good, for mere hiding the bad air is not destroying it, and they always do more or less harm.