OUR BABIES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 75, 26 February 1918, Page 3

OUR BABIES.

Published under the auspices of the Royal New Zoaland Society for the Health of "Women and Children.

j "it is wiser to put tip a rence at the top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom."

PRE-NATAL CAPE

The following extracts from an article entitled "When Does Baby's Life Begin "by Mrs Anna Stecse 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 encourag[ing results—both mothers and bajbies deriving much benefit, and the j infant mortality rate being very considerably diminished where such work has been undertaken. . ' • We hope that the American'-way of puttings things will arrest the attention of some who may have given little heed to what lias been written on the subject in this column. j MRS RICHARDSON'S'ARTICLE. j "In travail shait thou bring forth children," cried an outraged Deity to the world's first mother. I "In ignorance shalt thou attain motherhood," added society to the women who came alter her. 1 Small wonder that, under this double curse, civilised nations have steadily deteriorated. i The Divine edict weakned women through fear of pain, and soci'ty's ban of silence and mystery prevented any intelligent preparation for, the supreme event of their lives. Result: The present alarming rate of infant mortality, the inexcusable waste of mother-strength in semi-in-validism, due largely to lack of selfcare, and the very common belief lhafc the life of the child and the responsibilities of the mother start together the day on which the baby comes into the world. In reality ,the baby's life begins m 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-natal care .... Science 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 nbr 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 suffering family doctor, who was hot j permitted to discipline her, gave' her , soothing drugs. Her baby struggled feebly for life, but died within &8 hours of birth. the young mother is now a semi-invalid. | By contrast, here is the testimony of a correspondent. j "Thanks to your suggestions for pre-natal 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 I was in bad condition nervously and physically. But when I learned that my baby's health would depend upon mine, 1 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 by , circulation with regular exercise in the fresh air. T even slept outdoors in a little room we built over the

kitchen extension. j "My baby is fine, and you'd never ( think I graduated from a neurotic office girl into a healthy mother, just I through pre-natal care.' ' ! Read this story of a young wife who fought and conquered tubercu'losis 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, i She induced her husband to more tfl the highest suburb near the city where he had an office. There she took .the outdoor cure. Her iie-iih improved steadily, her child was born normally, and in neither is there trace of the dreaded white plague. II pre-natal care, hygienic living, correct diet, and the proper menial attitude can overcome such obstacles to sale, healthy motherhood as are described in these cases, what can it: not do for the normal mother and jhcr unborn child ? j What should the prospective i-.oth-or do first? j Place herself under the care of n reputable physician, ft is not economical to waif 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 are leading regular h.-y- ! genie lives, or whether we are defying the simplest laws of Nature. If you are eating food that does not agree with you, simply because you like it, j cut those items out of your diet. r a- ' digestion and all ailments of the in- i tcstiual tract increase the discomfort J of tin 1 expectant mother. j if you have a tendency to overdo to work or to exercise for pleasure until yon are "dead tired," as so many women will, now is your time to

cultivate the habit of rest and repose. Sleep eight hours each night, take a regular rest if you cannot sleep in the mid- It?, noon, and learn to sit down as ii.ucti 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 are-slug-gish and apathetic, now is the time to rouse yourself, for, the good of

your circulation. Bathe once a day Land rub the flesh with a rough towel. I Walk and work out doors when the 'weather permits. The woman who has a small warden 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. THE GOVERNMENT BOOK FOR MOTHERS. "The Expectant Mother and Baby's First Month," prepared by the Society and issued by the Public Health I Department free of charge, can he obtained on application (including l|d . for postage) from the Matron, Kari-Itahe-Hospital, the Plunket Nurses the Honorary Secretaries of the Branches, and the Registrars in the principal towns. The Society is specially anxious that every prospective mother should receive a copy of this little bonk long before the birth of her baby, and we feel sure that if this is donej very great benefit will accrue to mother and child and much trouble and sickness will be prevented. Our readers will ck>, a good service if they draw the attention of any of their friends, who would be benefiited by the book, to the fact that it may be 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 are free.