Abdomen. After fourth month anoint daily with cocoa butter or vaseline to give elasticity to skin.
Breasts. During last two months wash morning and evening with soap and warm water, drying thoroughly. Anoint at night with cocoa butter, gently draw out nipple. In the morning apply 25% alcohol.
Teeth. Rinse mouth after each meal and at bedtime with milk of magnesia or weak sodium bicarbonate solution, to neutralize acids.
Childbirth. Primitive women have only slight discomfort, because of natural outdoor living and unrestricting clothing. Minimum of pain requires well-developed pelvis, normal position of organs, strong abdominal muscles, previous good hygiene, moderate-sized baby, with normal presentation. Narrow, ill-shaped pelvis may be caused by rickets, tight binders or diapers in infancy, or to indoor life, long sitting, and tight clothing in girlhood, especially from twelve to sixteen years. Abnormal position of organs or of infant may be caused by tight clothing, heavy clothing supported from the waist, incorrect posture, long hours of standing during girlhood or womanhood. Weak abdominal muscles are due to corsets and lack of exercise. Hygiene includes regularity and rest at periods, freedom from excitation of the pelvic organs during pregnancy and lactation, an interval of two or three years between births, and a condition of reserve vitality at the beginning of maternity. An overweight baby is produced by overfeeding and lack of exercise during pregnancy. Abnormal presentation may be corrected by skilful medical care during pregnancy. Osteopathic treatment during pregnancy, by a skilful practitioner, may improve muscle tone.
The physician should be selected with special care, either a specialist or a general practitioner with an extensive successful obstetrical practice; and the nurse likewise. The physician should be consulted and the urine examined once a month until the last two months, then fortnightly. This is necessary to prevent toxemias, correct any abnormal position, and prepare for any possible complications. Absolute surgical cleanliness by physician and attendants is of the greatest importance at birth and during confinement. Silver nitrate solution for the baby’s eyes should not be neglected. If there are no probabilities of complications, if the local physician is competent and can be readily reached, and if the home can provide sterile conditions, strong artificial light and quiet, the home is preferable for confinement; otherwise the hospital is better. Midwives, unless from accredited foreign training schools, with local licenses, and of scrupulous cleanliness, are a dangerous investment; a competent physician is preferable. With prenatal medical care, an experienced physician, and aseptic care during confinement, it is a very safe experience. Thoroughly satisfactory anesthetics have not yet been discovered. With attention to hygiene from infancy, natural means will minimize pain.
Diet should be light during the first few days. Overfeeding may cause constipation and poor milk. Rest in bed for two weeks, and quiet life, with only light exercise, and chiefly out-of-doors, for the succeeding month, is necessary for complete recovery of the pelvic organs. A few weeks’ care and quiet at this time, even though the mother feels strong, may prevent months or years of invalidism. The physician should make examinations of both mother and baby four weeks and six weeks after birth.
Nursing. The baby should be put to the breast six to twelve hours after birth, when the mother has rested, and every six hours for two days; thereafter, according to schedule. This should be persisted in for ten days, at least, the milk sometimes not coming for a week. This is as important for the recovery of the pelvic organs of the mother as for the nourishment of the baby. The baby should be given water between the feedings, but no food, unless on the doctor’s order.
If the baby is unable to take the breast, through weakness or some malformation of the mouth, the milk should be drawn out with disinfected fingers or breast pump into a sterilized glass, and fed through a sterilized medicine dropper, or after two months, with a spoon.
If the nipples become sore or cracked, a glass breast shield with rubber nipple should be used. This is to be boiled for five minutes after using, and kept in saturated boric solution until needed. If the breasts are heavy, congested, or tender, a knitted breast binder should be worn, the breasts massaged from base toward the center for ten minutes between nursings. If they become caked, hot fomentations should also be applied for fifteen minutes before massaging or nursing.
Administering Medicine. Use as little medicine as possible. When prescribed, give exactly according to directions. Wipe mouth of bottle and examine label carefully, before and after pouring. Use clean spoon and disinfect after using. Remove cork with fingers, not with teeth. Avoid getting irritating substances into eyes or on tender, broken skin. Make a game of administering medicine and keep the child amiable, if possible. When necessary, hold nose, and put spoon back on base of tongue, to administer.