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The following is a copy of a leaflet which was drawn up in June, 1933,
and which has been used by the Public Health Department and the Royal
College of St. Katharine since that date.
A copy of the leaflet is handed to every expectant mother who attends
an ante-natal clinic.
Metropolitan Borough of Poplar .
ADVICE TO EXPECTANT MOTHERS.
A woman must pay attention to her health while she is carrying,
both for her own sake and for that of her baby.
The first rule is that she should feel well. She should not put up with
any illness or pain in the belief that they are natural to her condition
and must be endured. This is not so.
The safest plan is for her to inform her doctor or attend the nearest
clinic as soon as she knows she is expecting. It is specially desirable
with her first baby that she should take advice during the early months.
Food.—The quality of the food eaten at this time is of great importance,
for it influences the strength of the child, not only before, but after
it is born. What she eats while she is carrying may also decide how
quickly the mother recovers from her confinement and whether she is
able to nurse her baby. She should therefore try to obtain for herself as
regularly as possible the following articles: milk, butter, cheese, meat
with fat, fish, eggs, brown bread, oatmeal, fresh vegetables and fruit.
Milk.—This should be fresh or dried; not condensed.
Butter.—Some butter is very necessary. If margarine is used, ask
for the better kinds.
Cheese.—The Colonial kinds are good and inexpensive, as is Colonial
butter.
Meat.—Beef and mutton with some fat, rabbit, and liver are the
best. Liver is specially valuable.
Fish.—Herrings, sprats, mackerel, and eels give the best value for
money. The roe and liver of all fish contain valuable nourishment.
Small herrings, split open and grilled, will be enjoyed by many who
have no fancy for them boiled or fried.