THIS Regimen, which I am about to speak of, is Two-fold; the One for such Women as find themselves in a good State of Health, by way of Prevention: The Other for those of the tenderer Sort of Constitutions, who begin to suffer immediately under the common Symptoms: Upon which Affair I shall give a few necessary Precautions adapted to Both, with all possible Discretion and Judgment.
I. THE Conceiv’d Woman then is to observe a good, wholesome, and regular DIET; since Errors committed that way, with respect either to Quantity or Quality, may be of double Damage; I mean, both to the Mother and the Infant. She should therefore eat rather Often, than Much at a Meal; especially at Nights, without fasting too long at any Time.
II. SHE is discreetly to avoid all unwholesome, or intemperate Air, and not expose herself to any Excess of Heat or Cold.
III. SHE must not desire rashly to walk much abroad in Moon-Shine, nor to wash her Head in Sun-Shine.
IV. SHE ought not to frequent Gardens; and that for the following Two-fold Reason: First, lest perchance she happen to sit or tread upon some Herb of a pernicious Quality; as divers are, in provoking Abortion: Secondly, lest she covet some Fruit or Herbs, which may be of Damage or Inconveniency if allow’d, and the same if deny’d Her.
V. SHE is prudently to avoid all Odoriferous or Perfum’d, as well as Stinking Nauseous Smells.
VI. SHE must carefully shun sitting or lying hard, and also lifting any heavy Weight, or her Arms above her Head.
VII. SHE ought purposely to forbear all hard Labour, and violent Emotions of Body.
VIII. SHE is prudently to avoid all Apprehensions of Fears and Frights, and not to be surpriz’d at any thing she hears or sees.
IX. SHE is cautiously to decline Watchings, and sitting up late at Nights; but must indulge moderate Sleep.