OUR BABIES

Grey River Argus, 24 April 1937, Page 12

OUR BABIES

Hygeia.

By i , : 1 1

Published.' under the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Healtlh of Women and Children CPlun. ket Society). “It is wiser to put up a fence at the- top of a precipice than to main, tain an ambulance at the bottom.” ' BEFORE BABY COMES (Continued. 1 NEED FOR FLUIDS. There- is no doubt that ordinarily the average person could with bene, ficial results dring more water. The habit of water drinking if formed in childhood and continued throughout life should help to maintain normal functioning of the excretory organs and aid in keeping healthy the kidneys, bowels, and skin. Tho kidneys eliminate the waste products of the body. During pregnancy extra work is required of them, for. in addition t 0 their normal work of ridding the- waste products from the mother’s body, they must deal with those of the growing child as well. The perfect function of this system of waste removal is of the utmost importance at this time, and in order to guard against overwork of the kidneys regular and skilled supervision is necessary Almost equally important is regular daily movement of the bowels. Plenty of watei- (from three to four pints daily) is necessary to rid the- kidneys and bowels of the waste products Where there is any tendency to constipation the waste material accumii. lates and becomes putrid and poisons the mother and unborn child. When the poison s are not eliminated by the bowel ample opportunity is afforded' for their absorption by the blood stream, resulting in auto.intoxieation, which lays the foundation for sallow complexion, headaches, sensations of fatigue, and indigestion. If a routine method of drinking water such as follows is adopted the

mother will have no difficulty in taking the necessary quantity. Drink a, large cupful of water the last thing at night before retiring and one on rising the first thing in the morning. Take a cupful of water half to one hour before each meal, and another when thirsty. Should constipation persist i- 1 spite of the ordinary treatment, viz., correct diet, including laxative foods, plenty o f water, exercise, etc., a doctor should be- consulted. Never take castor oil for constipation or because it ‘s supposed to produce an easy labour. Aperients should be resorted to only when absolutely necessary. Tea and coffee are harmful to the nervous system, and should not be taken more than twice a. day. The tea should be freshly infused and not al. lowed to stand long. If milk o r buttermilk ii-s taken it should be taken ar. thj end of a meal. Cocoa, barley water, or raisin tea may be taken for a change. Alcoholic stimulants should not be taken unless under medical advice.

EXERCISE. The taking of a reasonable amount of exercise every day is the first and most important pressing need of the expectant mother. Without this, she cannot get herself into the condition of perfect health essential to ideal motheriiod. The active housewife is apt to say, “There is no need to re. mind me about taking active exercise; I am sure of plenty of exercise in the doing of my daily worly” There is a measure of truth in this. ”• The busy woman who looks after her own house, is the- type for natural, healthy mother, hood, while the idle, self-indulgent woman who regards herslef as half an invalid tends t 0 have a bad time all round and is the worst kind of mother for a baby. The wise mother will arrange her household duties so as to provide for a sufficiency of daily outdoor exercise whether the weather be wet or fine. Walking is the simplest method of fulfilling this need. The main point to be observed is that whatever form the exercise takes, it is not overdone. Ilf the mother has been accustomed to (games, such as golf, tennis, or croquet, she should continue these during the first, four or five months o f pregnancy always stopping short before reaching the point of fatigue. Even dancing in strict moderation up to the sixth month is permissible 1 . Exercise should always be followed by a rest period.

* SPECIAL EXERCISE. In most cases special exercises to strengthen the muscles of the body should be done- regularly. Strong, well-developed abdominal muscles are important factors in promoting a safe pregnancy and, a normal delivery These muscles are amply strong for the purpose in healthy women if they gave not been weakened by lack of exercise. A healthy life and open-air exercise are the first essentials in Die re-educating and strengthening of these muscles when they have become weak. If you have- been in the habit of doing exercises, continue them, omitting those which give you any feeling of strain, and cease the exercises before you arc tired.