OUR BABIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 30, 28 April 1927, Page 5

OUR BABIES

By Hygeia. Published under the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children (Plunket Society). “It is wiser to put up a fence at the top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the bottom.”

AN ARTICLE FOR MOTHERS AND FATHERS.—(Continued.) Last week we endeavoured to show the real reasons and need for antenatal care—putting the facts broadlv before the parents,—for this is a matter which concerns husbands as well as wives—one which calls for united action in the best interests of mother and child. It may be asked: What are the actual benefits to be derived from skilled ante-natal care? We answer: L 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 tone and condition generally— 2. Increased resistance to disease. 3. Much less likelihood of premature labour. 4. 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 that 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 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, can be foreseen and prevented if the earliest warnings of trouble are detected and suitably treated. 7. Fewer deaths among babies in the first month 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 the supreme privilege and joy of complete and successful nursing of the baby at the breast. “Nothing can take the place of the heart and the milk of a mother.” THE PLUNKET NURSES So far as the Plunket Society is concerned, ante-natal care is no new thing. It 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—much more. The time has not been ripe—enlightened public opinion is necessary. The mothers must see the need, and come; the fathers must see the need, and back and support the mothers. And this is coming; year by year it is being more generally realised that simple, consistent, authoritative, practical 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 mothers of the country have accepted the gift for their babies; let them now go one step further back and bring their babies before they are born! Privacy.—lt 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 confidential 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 are so arranged that the greatest degree of privacy is assured. We have heard a young mother say: I have to go to the Plunket Rooms this morning—it is my ‘Ante-natal Day.’ ” That is a beautiful phrase cor a beautiful idea —an idea which is practicable and possible to realise. May there be ever more mothers who look forward to their “Ante-natal Day!”

Hops have great tonic qualities. To jne pint of boiling water add loz. of hops and a teaspoon of Epsom salt. A wineglass of the liquor taken every morning will restore and maintain excellent health.