Moderate exercise in the open air is proper during the period of pregnancy, and walking is a good kind of exercise; but very long walks, and dancing, ought not to be indulged in. Riding in a wagon over rough roads, and railway traveling, are objectionable.
Bathing should be practiced with great care. A warm bath is too relaxing; a tepid bath once a week is beneficial. Sponging the body every morning with lukewarm water may be practiced, and the skin should be quickly dried with a coarse towel. The temperature of the water may be reduced gradually until it is quite cold. A sitz bath may be used every morning, although it is best to sit in it but a few seconds. If it gives a slight shock, it will be immediately followed by an agreeable glow. Put a little warm water with the cold at first.
Ventilation is of the utmost importance. During the day time, the windows in every unoccupied room in the house ought to be thrown open.
Attention should be directed to keeping the atmosphere in the sitting and sleeping rooms of the house fresh. Many poor people sleep in a very small, close bedroom, and breathe an air that is really poisonous. The lady should see also that the house is kept light, that the drains are in good and perfect order; that the privies are frequently emptied of their contents, and that the drinking water supply be not contaminated.
Sleep, by its sedative influence, and by the calmness of all the functions that attend it, has a favorable influence upon the disturbed nervous system of the mother, and upon the growth of the fœtus. Her bedroom ought to be large and airy, and she should not have curtains closely drawn about her bed. The windows of the room should be opened during the day; the bedclothes should be thrown back, and everything ventilated; the bed must not be loaded with clothes, and the bedroom at night should be dark, and as far as possible from noise. These things will tend to secure sleep; but if the pregnant woman should still be restless, and feeling oppressed and hot, she should perhaps admit more air into the room. Let her also attend every day to her bowels, that they be not allowed to become costive; perhaps eat cooling fruits, live on an abstemious diet, and if there is a feeling of faintness when she attempts to lie down, she should have a bed so arranged that her shoulders and head are elevated.
The pregnant woman ought to retire early to rest, and I would advise her to lie abed in the morning as long as she can sleep well. If she cannot sleep well, let her get up in good time in the morning, take a bath, or thorough ablution, a stroll in the garden, an early breakfast, and then perhaps a short walk, while the air is cool and exhilarating. A nap of an hour or two after that, upon a sofa or lounge, will prove very refreshing.
A TRANQUIL MIND is of the greatest importance. Forebodings of a gloomy nature should not be encouraged, as they often are, by relating dismal stories, etc. Unnecessary fear upon the part of the mother may have a bad effect upon the child, as may also the indulgence in unbridled anger, or yielding to temper,—perhaps may cause convulsions or hemorrhage, or even abortion. There is reason to believe that the imagination of the mother has an influence on the beauty of the child; and it is quite certain that cheerfulness and equanimity of mind contributes to the future good health of the child, and may even affect its disposition and mental traits.
CHAPTER III.
DISEASES OF PREGNANCY.
Pregnancy is not a disease. Many women enjoy better health during its continuance than any other time, and in general the pregnant woman is not quite as much exposed to contagious and other diseases. But there are certain disorders incident to pregnancy, of which it is necessary to speak.
Morning sickness, when it is only troublesome during the early part of the day, is generally borne without much complaint, or much medical care. Before taking any medicine for it, I advise that the lady try such simple means as the following: Let her take a cup of coffee or milk, and eat a few crackers or a biscuit, after washing her hands and face, and before rising in the morning; then let her remain in bed for about fifteen minutes, then dress quickly and take a short walk. If the sickness continues, let her eat freely of pop corn, and she may eat of this occasionally during the day, or whenever she is suffering from sickness, and let her partake of other food also during the day. Persistent sickness and vomiting indicates a disordered condition of the digestive apparatus, and requires appropriate remedies. Use successively the following: Formula 85, 104, 81, 107.