The mother's diet after delivery may include any available foods she wishes. She may eat or drink as soon as she wants to, and she should be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, especially milk. Canned milk can be used and made more palatable by diluting with equal parts of water and adding sugar, eggs, chocolate, or other flavoring.
For the first 24 or 48 hours after delivery, the mother will continue to have some cramping pains in the lower abdomen which may cause a great deal of discomfort. Aspirin may help relieve these afterpains. She should empty her bladder every few hours for 2 days following the birth. If her bowels do not move within 3 days after delivery she should be given an enema.
MISCARRIAGE
If a pregnant woman shows evidence of bleeding, she should restrict her activities and rest in bed in an effort to prevent possible loss of the baby. If a miscarriage does occur, keep the patient flat with the foot of the bed elevated from 12 to 18 inches to retard vaginal bleeding. Keep her warm and quiet, and give her fluids.
EXPECTANT MOTHER'S EMERGENCY CHILDBIRTH KIT
The public health and civil defense agencies of one State have planned a 1 1/2-pound emergency childbirth kit made up of basic supplies that can be carried in a 1-yard-square receiving blanket.
The kit consists of the following:
One-yard square of outing flannel, hemmed (receiving blanket).
Plastic (polyethylene flexible film) for outer wrapping of the kit if desired. (Do not wrap the baby in this plastic film.)
One or two diapers.
Four sanitary napkins (wrapped).
Adhesive tape identification strips for mother and baby.
Short pencil.
Soap.
Sterile package containing:
Small pair of blunt-end scissors (cheapest scissors will do), or a safety razor blade with a guard on one side.
Four pieces of white cotton tape, 1/2 inch wide and 9 inches long.[1]
Four cotton balls.
Roll of 3-inch gauze bandage.
Six 4-inch squares of gauze.[1]
Two or more safety pins.
[1] You will actually use only two tapes for tying the umbilical cord. The two extras are included as a safeguard in case one or two should be dropped or soiled. Extra 4-inch squares of gauze also are included.
