THE IMPORTANCE OF ANTE-NATAL PREPARATION

Ladies' Mirror, Volume 3, Issue 3, 1 September 1924, Page 29

THE IMPORTANCE OF ANTE-NATAL PREPARATION

Of Importance to Every Mother

IN THIS ARTICLE A PLUNKET NURSE EMPHASISES THE VITAL IMPORTANCE TO THE EXPECTANT MOTHER OF REGULATED EXERCISE, AND ADDS A FEW SIMPLE RULES THAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD BEAR IN MIND

LU me first refer to the importance of the special exercises advocated for expectant mothers. No athlete prepares for any race by resting only; he exercises and gradually increases the special exercise daily, up to the actual event he is preparing for. Now, in the case of the expectant mother, a special task is to be undertaken, and certain of her abdominal muscles will have an extra strain put on them, especially during the actual expulsion. As all muscles are strengthened by regular, consistent exercise, these exercises specially selected to strengthen and develop these abdominal muscles in particular, are advocated. Many women assert that they have abundant exercise in fulfilling their regular household duties, but that general form of exercise does not fulfil this special purpose. THE PERIL OF MUSCULAR INERTIA. All midwives will tell you that muscular inertia is one of the bugbears of success - ful labour, and of the great benefit obtained by those women who have good muscular tone, and thus can assist themselves during the contractions and bearing down pains, working with them and not against them. It has been a contention by many nurses, also members of the medical profession, that these exercises tend to cause miscarriage, and thus are dangerous. In answer to this contention, I can state that I have personally questioned forty-one mothers who had a miscarriage; of this number thirty-nine had never done exercises, one said she had done them “on and off,” and one for two weeks. From this investigation one could hardly conclude that the special exercises were a contributing factor in the production of miscarriages lack of muscular tone is more likely to be a factor. Naturally these exercises need to be commenced gradually, not done when the mother is physically tired or exhausted, but preferably early in the day; and the mother should always stop short of fatigue.

SIMPLE RULES FOR HEALTH. In order to assure that her blood supply keep pure and good as possible, the mother should drink plenty of pure water, take regular meals containing fresh fruits and vegetables daily, also keep the windows well open night and day, and take some outdoor exercise daily: the two latter are to assure the blood supply being kept well oxygenated all the time. The water drinking assists in quicker elimination of waste products, which is a necessity to a pure blood supply. Fresh fruits and vegetables taken daily help to prevent constipation, also supply mineral salts, and that vitalising fresh element proven to be such a necessity and benefit in the growth of all young things. A cool or cold sponge over every day stimulates good circulation and raises the muscular tone. Stimulating exercise assists digestion of food and elimination of waste products, as well as generally increasing muscular tone. Naturally, if a mother’s blood supply is pure and good, also her muscular tone and circulation vigorous, her general resistance to infection is materially raised. I am addressing these few points to the mothers themselves, as they are matters which lie entirely within their own province. Such a factor as decayed teeth should be attended to as early as possible in pregnancy, and never neglected. Any other abnormalties which may arise should be guarded against or dealt with by keeping in close touch with the doctor and nurse.

A TRIBUTE TO THE SYSTEM. The following is a copy of the latest of many of the same kind, frequently received by our Society. This mother, who was also a nurse, had had three previous difficult abnormal confinements, and then was over nine years without giving birth to a child. The fact of the previous abnormal pregnancies and confinements naturally makes the result attained in this instance very much more valuable and significant. Private Hospital, June, 1924. Dear , I thought you would be interested to hear that I have another little sou born on the 14th June. I am very proud of myself, as I had such an easy confinement. As soon as I suspicioned I was pregnant I started the special Pluuket exercises advocated, and kept them up throughout the whole time, also, of course, lived an absolute normal life. I had medical supervision from the early stages, as in previous pregnancies I had had kidney trouble and very abnormal confinements. For a short time I had slight albuminuria, but fortunately that soon cleared up, and at the last I was particularly well; in fact, during the whole pregnancy 1 could hardly have wished for better health. Last Thursday morning I found that labour had started, but had no pain; after a while almost painless contractions set in, and I came into hospital. I kept having very slight pains occasionally until about 5 a.m. Saturday morning, and then they became regular, but not really painful. At ten past six I felt very uncomfortable, so called Sister, and told her I was corning on, and then baby was born at twenty past six, with practically no pain. The doctor was surprised to find baby was born. I am so well, do not feel I have had a baby, and I give all the credit to tire Plunket teachings. The doctor says he has never had such a good case. You will think this a long preamble, but I did ay ant to let you know how much good the Society’s teachings have done me, as my previous confinements were dreadful. Yours sincerely,