OUR BABIES

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 19 November 1932, Page 13

OUR BABIES

By Hygeia.

Published under the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Woman and Children (Plunket Society).

BEFORE BABY COMES. (Continued).

NEED FOR FLUIDS

There is no doubt that ordinarily the average' person could with beneficial results drink more water. Tim habit of water’ drinking if formed in iohildhood and contiiuuecl throughout life' should help to maintain normal functioning of the excretory organs and aid in keeping healthy the kidneys, bowels, and skin. • The kidneys eliminate the waste products of the body. During pregnancy extra, work is required of them, for, in addition to their normal work ol ridding the waste products from the mother’s body, they must deal with those of the growing child as well. The perfect functioning this system of waste removal is of the utmost importance at this time, and in order to guard against any symptom of overwork of the kidneys regular and skilled supervision is necessary. Almost equally important is regular daily movement of the bowel. “Plenty oi water (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 accumulates and becomes putrid and poisons the mother and unborn child. When the poisons are not eliminated by the bowel ample opportunity is afforded for their absorption by the blood stream, resulting in the 'so-called auto-intoxication, 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 1 taking the necessary quantity. Drink I a. large cupful of water the lust thing at night before retiring, and one on rising, the first thing in the morning. Take a large cupful of water half to one hour before each meal and another when thirsty. Should constipation persist in spite of the ordinary treatment —viz., correct including laxative foods, plenty of water, exercise, etc.—a doctor should be consulted. “Never take castor oil for constipation, or because it is supposed to produce an easy labour.” Aperients should be resorted to only when absolutely necessary. Tea and coffee m excess.are harmful to the nervous system and should not be taken more than twice a day. The tea should be freshly infused and not allowed to stand long. If milk or buttermilk is taken it should be taken I at the 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 or a reasonable amount of exercise every day is the first and most pressing need of the expectant mother; without this she cannot get hei'self into the condition of perfect health essential to icieal motherhood. The active housewife is apt to say: “There is no need to remind me about, taking exercise; I’m sure of plenty of exercise in the doing of my daily work.” There is a measure of truth in this. The busy woman who looks after her own house is the’ type for natural, healthy motherhood, while! the idle, self-indulgent womlan who regards herself as half an invalid jtends to have a bad time all round, and as the worst kind of mother for, j a. baby. 1 ■ The wise mother will so arrange her < household duties to provide for a suf- _ fiqkmcy of daily' outdoor exercise , whether 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 J is not overdone. If the mother has ‘ been accustomed to games such as golf, tennis, or croquet she should con-: ( tinue these' during the first four or five months of pregnancy, always stopping short before, reaching the point of fatigue. Even dancing in strict moderation up to the fifth or sixtn ■’ month is permissable. Exercise should - always bo followed by a rest period. .

SPECIAL EXERCISES. “In most cases special exercises to strengthen the muscles of the body should he done regularly. Strong, welldeveloped abdominal muscles are important factors' in promoting a safe ■pregnancy and a normal delivery. Those muscles are amply strong for the purpose, in healthy women if they have not been weakened by lack of exercise. A healthy life and open-air exercise are the first essentials m the 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 are fired.