OUR BABIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 30, 5 February 1935, Page 10

OUR BABIES

PREPARATION FOR MOTHERHOOD. YN ARTICLE FOE FATHERS AND MOTHERS. It is now accepted by all authorities .is an incontrovertible fact that every ' mother should be under skilled super’vision throughout pregnancy, and that 'this is the only way to prevent, the I present dangers and disabilities of ,•»rsnnnry and labour and many early 1 infant deaths. There need be praci licaHy no disability or danger if only ' mothers to-bo would realise that it is |an absolute necessity to consult a doctor early in pregnancy, and thereafter |to seek and follow authoritative skilled advice. Let us put it this way. Parents may ask: What are the actual benefits to be derived from ekilled ante-natal care? We answer: .1. A better standard of general health and fitness, resulting from sound practical advice on matters of general hygiene. As a natural result of better health and improved txme and condition generally: 2. Increased resistance to disease. 3. Much less likelihood of premature labour. •1. The best possible expectancy of natural, easy labour and quick return to full’health and vigour. 5. Freedom from many minor worries and anxieties and confidence to face the coming event. The mother-to-be who sees- her doctor and is examined at intervals can rest assured all is well, and need have no anxiety about herself. The mother who sees her nurse regularly throughout her pregnancy makes a friend — one to whom she can turn for advice and support in all the difficulties with which she has to contend. She need not be distracted by the conflicting advice or the distressing tales of wellmeaning neighbours and friends. 6. Detection of abnormalities or any departure from the normal in the earliest stages. This is of the greatest importance. Big things have small beginnings. Most of the grave dangers which imperil the lives of mother or babe, or both c.\i be foreseen and prevented if She earliest warnings of trouble are detected and suitably treated. 7. Fewer deaths among babies in the first mouth of life and fewer weakling babies. ‘‘During the first eventful nine months of life in the womb the health of the mother is the health of the baby.” 8. Preparation for complete and succesful breast feeding. “Nothing can take the place of the heart and the milk of a mother. ’ The Plunket Nurses. 8o far a<s the Plunket Society is concerneul, ante-natal care is no new thing. Lt has been a plank in the society’s platform throughout, and the nurses have always been ready to give skilled advice under conditions of privacy. Much good work has been done, but' more remains to be done—much more. The time has not been ripe; enlightened public opinion is necessary. The others must see the need ami conn l ; the fathers must see the Deed and back and support the mothers. And this is coming. Year by year it is being more generally realised that simple, coibsiste.nl, authoritative, prac t.ical advice on all matters relating to the health of mothers-to-be, babies, and little children is necessary and desirable. This the Plunket nurses have to offer. The mother* of the country have accepted the gift for their babies; let them now go one step further back and bring their babies be fore they arc born. Privacy. .11 is fully realised how greatly mothers desire that interviews with the nurses should be private and strictly confidential. We can assure them that every effort, is made to secure privacy, and all talks are between mother and nurse alone. Private interviews in the evenings can generally be arranged by appointment if wished. The mother may look on the nurse as a confiden tial friend whom she may trust. In the four main towns of New Zealand special days have been set aside at the Plunket Rooms for expectant mothers. On these days appointments are made, and the rooms arc so arranged that the greatest degree of privacy is assured. We once heard a young mother say: “1 have to go Io the Plunket Rooms this morning—it is my ‘ante-naita. dav.’ ” That, is a beautiful phrase for a beautiful idea —an idea which is practicable and possible to realise. Mac there be even more mothers who look forward to their “anti’ natal day.’’