OUR BABIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3336, 20 February 1918, Page 53

OUR BABIES.

By Htgbia.

Published under tho auspices ot the Royal New Zealand Society tor the Health et Women and Children. "It Is wiser to put up a ienee at the top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom."

PRE-NATAL CARE. The following extracts from an article entitled "When Does Baby's Life Beginf by Mrs Anna Steese Richardson, which appeared in the Pictorial Review, will interest many of our readers. In the United States of America, particularly in Boston, a great work has been carried on among Prospective Mothers with the most encouraging results—both mothers and babies deriving much benefit, and the infant .mortality rate boing very considerably diminished where such work has been undertaken. Wo hope that the American way of putting things will arreet the attention of sonic who may have given little heed to what has been written on the subject in this column. MRS RICHARDSON'S ARTICLE. "In travail shalt thou bring forth children," cried an outraged Deity to the world's first mother." - "In ignorance shalt thou attain motherhood," added society to the women who came after her. Small wonder that, under this double curse, civilised nations, have steadily deteriorated. The Divine edict weakened women through fear of pain, and society's ban of silence and mystery prevented any intelligent preparation for the supreme event of their lives. Result: The present alarming rate o| infant mortality, the inexcusable waste of mother-strength in semi-invalidism, duo largely to lack of self-care, and the very common belief that 'the life of the child and the responsibilities of the mother etart together the day on which the baby comes world. In reality, the baby's life begins in the hour of conception, and the mother's responsibilities in the hour when she realises that she is .to bring a little child into the world. Her baby's health is grounded in pre-na'tal care _, " has developed marvellous preventive measures in dealing with the expectant mother, and, fortunately for, unborn children, women are beginning to learn of these measures and to demand them.

A young wife who had been petted _ by parents and a doting husband exercised no self-control nor will-power before her baby was born. She gave up all exercise, all recreation, and spent her time in bewailing her'' fate, principally in bed or on a lounge, with a novel' or magazine for companion. Naturally she developed insomnia, for which a long-suffering family doctor, who was not permitted to discipline her, gave her soothing drugs. Her baby struggled feebly » for life, but died within 48 hours of birth. The young motner is now a semi-invalid. By contrast, here is the testimony of a correspondent: "Thanks to your suggestions for prenatal hygiene, I am better than I have ever been in my life. As I wrote you, my life before marriage was spent in a business office/ and 1 wae in bad condition nervously and physically. But when ] learned that my baby's health would depend upon mine, I determined to be well, and, for the first time in my life, I led a systematic, normal existence. I relieved indigestion by diet, exercise, and drinking water, I improved my circulation with regular exercises in- the freeh air. I even slept outdoors in a little room we built over the kitchen extension. " My baby is fino, and you'd never think I graduated from a neurotic office girl into a healthy mother, just through pro-natal care." Read this storv of a young wife who fought and conquered tuberculosis through pre-natal care. She was always a delicate girl, but no one, herself least of all, suspected tuberculosis. When it developed—almost simultaneously with the knowledge that she was to become a mother, —she showed a strength of will and courage that few girls can boast. She induced her husband to move to the highest suburb near the city where ho had an office. There she took the outdoor cure. Her health improved steadily, _ her child was born normally, and in neither' is there trace of the dreaded white plague. If pro-natal care, hygienic living, correct diet, and the proper mental attitude can overcome such obstacles to safe, healthy motherhood as are described in these cases, what can it not do for the normal mother and her unborn child? What should the prospective mother do first? . Place herself under the caro of a reputable physician. It is not economical to" wait until the eleventh hour _to engage or consult a physician. Prevention is true economy. It* will cost less to prevent a complication than to relieve it. We women know perfectly well whether wo arc leading regular hygienic lives, or •whether wo are defying the simplest laws of Nature. If you are eating food 'that does not agree with you, simply because you like it, cut those items out of your diet. Indigestion and all ailments of the intestinal tract increase the discomfort of the expectant mother. If you have a tendency to overdo, to work or to exercise for pleasure until you are " dead tired," as so many women will, now is your time to cultivate the habit of rest and repose. Sleep eight houra each night, take a regular rest if yon cannot sleep in the mid-afternoon, and learn to sit down as much as possible at your household tasks. Women can train 'themselves to wash dishes, prepare vegetables, and iron while seated on a chair or stool properly adjusted to sink or table. On the other hand, if you arc sluggish and apathetic, now is the time to rouse yourself, for the good of your circulation. Bathe once a day and rub the flesh with a rough towel. Walk and work outdoors when the weather permits. The woman who has a small garden may count this as an asset in pre-natal care. The woman who has no garden in which to work should take brisk walks, not for shopping or visiting, but for exercise, for an hour or two each day. We shall continue Mrs Richardson's article next week. Meantime we would again call attention to the New Zealand Government Book for Mothers.

THE GOVERNMENT BOOK FOR MOTHERS. "The Expectant Mother and Baby's First Month," prepared by the Society and issued by the Public Health Department free of charge, can bo obtained on application (including lid for postage) from tho Matron, Karitane-Harrls Hospital, the Plunkct'Nurses, the Honorary Secretaries of tho Branches, and the Registrars in tho principal towns. The Society _;s specially anxious that every prospective mother should receive a copy of this little book long before the birth of her baby, and wo feel sure that if this is done very great benefit will accrue to mother and child and much trouble and sickness will be prevented. Our readers will do a good service if they draw the attention of any of their friends, who would be benefited by the book, to tho fact that it may bo had on application. The Plunket Nurses will be glad to see expectant mothers, either at the Society's Rooms or in their own homes. The nurses' services aro free.