CHAPTER II.
OF CONCEPTION; WHAT IT IS; HOW WOMEN ARE TO ORDER THEMSELVES AFTER CONCEPTION.
Sect. I. What Conception is.
Conception is nothing else but an action of the womb, by which the prolific seed is received and retained, that an infant may be engendered and formed out of it. There are two sorts of conception: the one according to nature, which is followed by the generation of the infant in the womb; the other false, and wholly against nature, in which the seed changes into water, and produces only false conceptions, moles, or other strange matter.
Sect. II. How a Woman ought to order herself after Conception.
My design in this treatise being brevity, I shall bring forward a little of what the learned have said of the causes of twins, and whether there be any such things as superfœtations, or a second conception, in a woman, (which is yet common enough) when I come to show you how the midwife ought to proceed in the delivery of the women that are pregnant with them. But, having already spoke of conception, I think it now necessary to show how such as have conceived ought to order themselves during their pregnancy, that they may avoid those inconveniences which often endanger the life of the child, and many times their own.
A woman, after conception, during the time of her being pregnant, ought to be looked upon as indisposed or sick, though in good health: for child-bearing is a kind of nine months’ sickness, being all that time in expectation of many inconveniences which such a condition usually causes to those that are not well governed during that time; and therefore ought to resemble a good pilot, who, when sailing on a rough sea, and full of rocks, avoids and shuns the danger, if he steers with prudence; but if not, it is a thousand to one but he suffers shipwreck. In like manner, a pregnant woman is often in danger of miscarrying and losing her life, if she is not very careful to prevent those accidents to which she is subject all the time of her pregnancy: all which time her care must be double, first of herself, and secondly, of the child she goes with; for otherwise, a single error may produce a double mischief; for, if she receives a prejudice, her child also suffers with her. Let a woman, therefore, after conception, observe a good diet, suitable to her temperament, custom, condition, and quality: and if she can, let the air where she ordinarily dwells be clear and well tempered, free from extremes either of heat or cold; for being too hot it dissipateth the spirits too much, and causeth many weaknesses; and by being too cold and foggy, it may bring down rheums and distillations on the lungs, and so cause her to cough, which, by its impetuous motion, forcing downwards, may make her miscarry. She ought always to avoid all nauseous and ill smells; for sometimes the stench of a candle, not well put out, may cause her to come before her time; and I have known the smell of charcoal to have the same effect. Let her also avoid smelling of rue, mint, pennyroyal, castor, brimstone, &c.
But, with respect to their diet, pregnant women have generally so great loathings, and so many different longings, that it is very difficult to prescribe an exact diet for them. Only this I think advisable, that they may use those meats and drinks which are to them most desirable, though perhaps not in themselves so wholesome as some others, and, it may be, not so pleasant; but this liberty must be made use of with this caution, that what they desire be not in itself unwholesome: and also, that in every thing they take care of excess. But, if a pregnant woman finds herself not troubled with such longings as we have spoken of, let her take simple food, and in such quantity as may be sufficient for herself and the child, which her appetite may in a great measure regulate; for it is alike hurtful for her to fast too long, or eat too much; and, therefore, rather let her eat a little and often; especially let her avoid eating too much at night; because the stomach being too much filled, compresseth the diaphragm, and thereby causeth difficulty of breathing. Let her meat be easy of digestion, such as the tenderest parts of beef, mutton, veal, sows, pullets, capons, pigeons, and partridges, either boiled or roasted, as she likes best; new-laid eggs are also very good for her; and let her put into her broth those herbs that purify it, as sorrel, lettuce, succory, and burrage; for they will purge and purify the blood. Let her avoid whatever is hot seasoned, especially pies and baked meats, which, being of hot digestion, overcharge the stomach. If she desires fish, let it be fresh, and such as is taken out of rivers and running streams. Let her eat quinces of marmalade, to strengthen her child; sweet almonds, honey, sweet apples, and full ripe grapes, are also good. Let her abstain from all sharp, sour, bitter, and salt things; and all things that tend to provoke the terms—such as garlic, onions, mustard, fennel, pepper, and all spices except cinnamon, which in the last two months is good for her. If at first her diet be sparing, as she increases in bigness let her diet be increased; for she ought to consider she has a child as well as herself to nourish. Let her be moderate in her drinking; and if she drinks wine, let it be rather claret than white, (which will make good blood, help the digestion, and comfort the stomach, which is always weakly during her pregnancy); but white wine being diuretic, or that which provokes urine, ought to be avoided. Let her have a care of too much exercise; let her avoid dancing, riding in a coach, or whatever else puts the body into violent motion, especially in her first month. But to be more particular, I shall here set down rules proper for every month for the child-bearing woman to order herself, from the time she has first conceived to the time of her delivery.
Rules for the First Two Months.
As soon as a woman knows (or has reason to believe) she hath conceived, she ought to abstain from all violent motions and exercises; whether she walks on foot, or rides on horseback, or in a coach, it ought to be very gently. Let her beware she lift not her arms too high, nor carry great burdens, nor repose herself on hard and uneasy seats. Let her use moderately good juicy meat, and of easy digestion; and let her wine be neither too strong nor too sharp, but a little mingled with water; or if she be very abstemious, she may use water wherein cinnamon is boiled. Let her avoid fastings, thirst, watchings, mourning, sadness, anger, and all other perturbations of the mind. Let none present any strange or unwholesome thing to her, nor so much as name it, lest she should desire it, and not be able to get it, and so either cause her to miscarry, or the child to have some deformity on that account. Let her bowels be kept loose with prunes, raisins, or manna, in her broth; and let her use the following electuary, to strengthen the womb and the child:—
“Take conserve of burrage, buglos, and red roses, each two ounces; of balm an ounce; citron peel and shreds, myrobalans candied, each an ounce; extract of wood aloes, a scruple; pearl prepared, half a drachm; red coral, ivory, each a drachm; candied nutmegs, two drachms; and with syrup of apples and quinces make an electuary.”