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Each patient, on her first attendance, is given the following
leaflet of instructions regarding the care of health during
pregnancy:—
Instructions for Patients during Pregnancy.
The diet during pregnancy should consist of plain nourishing food.
Honey, jam, jelly or ordinary sugar should be partaken of freely, but cream,
fat and eggs only in moderation. Frequent drinks of water are beneficial,
but alcohol in any form should be avoided.
Take as much daily outdoor exercise as possible, but do not overtire
yourself. Keep your bedroom well ventilated and avoid stuffy rooms.
See that your teeth are kept clean. In the case of toothache a dentist
should be consulted so that the tooth or teeth may be filled, or, if necessary,
extracted.
See that the bowels are moved daily. Extract of Cascara Sagrada in
tablet or liquid form, or liquid paraffin, are useful laxatives.
Warm baths should be taken as usual during pregnancy.
No intercourse should take place during the last six weeks of pregnancy.
See that all garments over chest and round waist fit loosely; wear an
abdominal belt or binder instead of corsets, and suspenders in place of garters.
To prevent sore nipples during nursing, the breasts require careful attention.
From the sixth month onwards, wash the nipples and skin round them
night and morning with a good toilet soap and water, and dry with a
rough towel. The nipples should also be " pulled out " daily with a soft
clean piece of cotton wool smeared with lanoline or vaseline.
Each month bring the doctor a bottle of mixed (night and morning)
urine.
Consult the doctor at once if you do not feel in ordinary good health
or if any of the following symptoms arise at any time during your pregnancy:—
(a) Scanty urine.
(b) Persistent headache.
(c) Disturbance of vision.
(d) Swelling of feet and face.
(e) Loss of blood.
(f) Persistent constipation.
See the doctor regularly each month of your pregnancy.