During Pregnancy Information and Guideline
It is important for the expectant mother to understand clearly how and in what matters she must take special care of herself and her baby, what she should do to ensure the health and welfare of both, and how she can make sure that the delivery will be normal and safe, without mishap. And she should make it a point to take the requisite measures.
Medical Check-up: The expectant mother should begin by consulting the family doctor, apprising him of all the relevant facts, and punctiliously following his directions. She should get herself registered in a reputable clinic, maternity hoe or hospital, visit the chosen establishment regularly, and keep the doctors in charge fully informed about the progress of her pregnancy, the state of her health and all other details, especially and departures from the normal or expected pattern.
Exercise: If the development of the fetus is proceeding normally and there are no physical reasons to the contrary, she should take such routine exercises as are advisable in her condition, taking care not to overtire herself. In particular, she should perform exercises which tone up the muscles of the waist, the back and the abdomen.
Exercise is no less important than fresh air for keeping the body healthy. The routine daily chores of household work can also serve the purpose of providing exercise to the body, as do exercise devised specifically for the purpose. But of course the expectant mother should not lift heavy loads, nor should she attempt anything which will cause excessive fatigue or require too much exertion.
Rest and Sleep: The pregnant woman gets tired comparatively more easily, especially in the first and the last trimester (three month periods of pregnancy). She should provide for sufficient rest in her daily routine. Normally it would be advisable for her to rest daily for eight hours at night hours at night and at least two hours in the day time. As the time for delivery draws near, she needs longer periods of rest. She should increase the daily periods of rest to at least 10 hours at night and at least four hours in the day time, making up as total of 14 to 16 hours of rest in every 24 hours. The expectant mother must form the habit of sleeping with her feet resting at slightly higher levels than the rest of the body. On no account should she sleep with the knees bent, nor sit with the legs folded under her as in a kneeling position. Such positions are likely to obstruct the circulation of blood in the lower regions of the legs, causing those parts to swell.
A pregnant woman often suffers from insomnia. In such a case, she resorts to sleeping pills. But such drugs may cause harms to her and to her baby. She would therefore be well advised to consult her physician, and be guided by him in this matter.
Baths: She should bath regularly, scrubbing each part of the body well, to ensure perfect cleanliness of the body. Preferably a tub should be used for the baths. She should also exercise great care while sitting down, standing up or moving in the bath room, so as to avoid slipping. The genitals should be cleaned thoroughly with warm water.
Clothing and Footwear: The expected mother should wear clothes that allow her to move freely without inconvenience. Loose-fitting robes called ‘maternity gowns’ (similar to maxi dresses) cover the body well, and present a becoming appearance, as they cover up the bulge of the abdomen in their folds. The breast must be supported by a well-fitting brassiere (‘bra’). Only flat-soled shoes or sleeper must be worn, as high-heeled ones make it difficult to keep one’s balance.
X-Rays (Radiographs) : X-Rays are harmful to the fetus, especially in the embryonic stages. The expectant mother should never permit herself to be X-rayed or take radiotherapy (radiation treatment), as the rays may cause defects of development at a later stage. In the final analysis, she should be guided by her physician as to the necessity of an X-ray.
Travel: There is no reason why a pregnant woman should not travel. But of course certain precautions must be taken. In particular, she should arrange to have enough space to get up an walk about for some time every two hours. It would be advisable for her to avoid traveling by air as far as possible.
Apprehensions Regarding Delivery: An expectant mother, especially if it is her first pregnancy, should get all the information she can about delivery, so as to allay all apprehensions about it. She can talk it over with her physician, her gynecologist, nurse or midwife. Authoritative books that discuss the problems in language comprehensible to the lay public can also serve as good sources of information. The fears that are aroused by casual talk in one’s social circles, full of varied and conflicting accounts and counsel, will be dispersed by the real understanding that its provided by such authoritative sources.
Sexual Intercourse: Barring the last four weeks or so, intercourse is normally not harmful or injurious either to the baby or the mother-to-be. However, if there is a possibility of miscarriage, it is best to avoid intercourse right, from the initial stages of pregnancy.
Smoking: The babies born to women who are given to smoking are generally smaller in size and lighter in weight. Their deliveries too are generally not easy, and in a large number of cases, the pregnancies end in miscarriages. Even if pregnancies are successfully carried to term, the babies are generally vulnerable to bacterial infections and respiratory diseases. The nicotine from the tobacco can find its way to the foetus, which would induce malformation of certain organs, or defects in the hearts of the babies. Such babies start having chest paint in the very first year of their lives. Women who smoke are subject, in the long run, to hemorrhages during pregnancy.
Drinking (Alcoholic Beverages): A baby developing in the womb of a woman who drinks may be defective in one way or another. Defects of heart muscles, fingers, toes, and even faces are and commonly observed in such babies. The nose is flattened, the jaws lack lack their normal contours, the nervous system does not function well, and stammering or stuttering is likely to mar the speech of the child when it grows up.
Vaccines: It is not advisable to administer and vaccine to a woman during the first three or four months of pregnancy. Once these injections have been taken during the first pregnancy, only one injection of tetanus vaccine suffices during subsequent pregnancies.
Delivery at Home: If delivery is arranged to take place at home the confinement room should be airy and well lighted. The bed should be placed in such a way as to leave sufficient space for movement on all four sides. Unnecessary articles of furniture etc. should be removed from the room. The doctor, nurse or midwife finds it more convenient if the cot is sufficiently high. All equipment and materials necessary for the mother and baby as advised by the doctor should be kept ready and accessible, so that there is no occasion for rushing about looking for things at the crucial time.
Sudden unanticipated Delivery: Often the baby is delivered before the nurse or the doctor arrives, or before the mother-to-be can reach the hospital. In such cases, the following points should be kept in mind.
(1) There is no need to be worried, if the delivery takes place in a normal and natural manner.
(2) The hands must be washed thoroughly before touching the genital region.
(3) As soon as the baby is delivered, its face, mouth, nose and head should be cleaned gently with a soft cloth.
(4) Or a handkerchief, taking care to see that its face is not covered up.
(5) The umbilical cord should be cut with a pair of scissors, and the placenta or after – birth permitted to be ejected in the natural course.
(6) The things and the buttocks of the mother should be wiped clean, but touching the vagina should be avoided.
(7) Let the mother have complete rest after the delivery. She can be given a warm drink if she feels a desire for it.
Medical Check-up: The expectant mother should begin by consulting the family doctor, apprising him of all the relevant facts, and punctiliously following his directions. She should get herself registered in a reputable clinic, maternity hoe or hospital, visit the chosen establishment regularly, and keep the doctors in charge fully informed about the progress of her pregnancy, the state of her health and all other details, especially and departures from the normal or expected pattern.
Exercise: If the development of the fetus is proceeding normally and there are no physical reasons to the contrary, she should take such routine exercises as are advisable in her condition, taking care not to overtire herself. In particular, she should perform exercises which tone up the muscles of the waist, the back and the abdomen.
Exercise is no less important than fresh air for keeping the body healthy. The routine daily chores of household work can also serve the purpose of providing exercise to the body, as do exercise devised specifically for the purpose. But of course the expectant mother should not lift heavy loads, nor should she attempt anything which will cause excessive fatigue or require too much exertion.
Rest and Sleep: The pregnant woman gets tired comparatively more easily, especially in the first and the last trimester (three month periods of pregnancy). She should provide for sufficient rest in her daily routine. Normally it would be advisable for her to rest daily for eight hours at night hours at night and at least two hours in the day time. As the time for delivery draws near, she needs longer periods of rest. She should increase the daily periods of rest to at least 10 hours at night and at least four hours in the day time, making up as total of 14 to 16 hours of rest in every 24 hours. The expectant mother must form the habit of sleeping with her feet resting at slightly higher levels than the rest of the body. On no account should she sleep with the knees bent, nor sit with the legs folded under her as in a kneeling position. Such positions are likely to obstruct the circulation of blood in the lower regions of the legs, causing those parts to swell.
A pregnant woman often suffers from insomnia. In such a case, she resorts to sleeping pills. But such drugs may cause harms to her and to her baby. She would therefore be well advised to consult her physician, and be guided by him in this matter.
Baths: She should bath regularly, scrubbing each part of the body well, to ensure perfect cleanliness of the body. Preferably a tub should be used for the baths. She should also exercise great care while sitting down, standing up or moving in the bath room, so as to avoid slipping. The genitals should be cleaned thoroughly with warm water.
Clothing and Footwear: The expected mother should wear clothes that allow her to move freely without inconvenience. Loose-fitting robes called ‘maternity gowns’ (similar to maxi dresses) cover the body well, and present a becoming appearance, as they cover up the bulge of the abdomen in their folds. The breast must be supported by a well-fitting brassiere (‘bra’). Only flat-soled shoes or sleeper must be worn, as high-heeled ones make it difficult to keep one’s balance.
X-Rays (Radiographs) : X-Rays are harmful to the fetus, especially in the embryonic stages. The expectant mother should never permit herself to be X-rayed or take radiotherapy (radiation treatment), as the rays may cause defects of development at a later stage. In the final analysis, she should be guided by her physician as to the necessity of an X-ray.
Travel: There is no reason why a pregnant woman should not travel. But of course certain precautions must be taken. In particular, she should arrange to have enough space to get up an walk about for some time every two hours. It would be advisable for her to avoid traveling by air as far as possible.
Apprehensions Regarding Delivery: An expectant mother, especially if it is her first pregnancy, should get all the information she can about delivery, so as to allay all apprehensions about it. She can talk it over with her physician, her gynecologist, nurse or midwife. Authoritative books that discuss the problems in language comprehensible to the lay public can also serve as good sources of information. The fears that are aroused by casual talk in one’s social circles, full of varied and conflicting accounts and counsel, will be dispersed by the real understanding that its provided by such authoritative sources.
Sexual Intercourse: Barring the last four weeks or so, intercourse is normally not harmful or injurious either to the baby or the mother-to-be. However, if there is a possibility of miscarriage, it is best to avoid intercourse right, from the initial stages of pregnancy.
Smoking: The babies born to women who are given to smoking are generally smaller in size and lighter in weight. Their deliveries too are generally not easy, and in a large number of cases, the pregnancies end in miscarriages. Even if pregnancies are successfully carried to term, the babies are generally vulnerable to bacterial infections and respiratory diseases. The nicotine from the tobacco can find its way to the foetus, which would induce malformation of certain organs, or defects in the hearts of the babies. Such babies start having chest paint in the very first year of their lives. Women who smoke are subject, in the long run, to hemorrhages during pregnancy.
Drinking (Alcoholic Beverages): A baby developing in the womb of a woman who drinks may be defective in one way or another. Defects of heart muscles, fingers, toes, and even faces are and commonly observed in such babies. The nose is flattened, the jaws lack lack their normal contours, the nervous system does not function well, and stammering or stuttering is likely to mar the speech of the child when it grows up.
Vaccines: It is not advisable to administer and vaccine to a woman during the first three or four months of pregnancy. Once these injections have been taken during the first pregnancy, only one injection of tetanus vaccine suffices during subsequent pregnancies.
Delivery at Home: If delivery is arranged to take place at home the confinement room should be airy and well lighted. The bed should be placed in such a way as to leave sufficient space for movement on all four sides. Unnecessary articles of furniture etc. should be removed from the room. The doctor, nurse or midwife finds it more convenient if the cot is sufficiently high. All equipment and materials necessary for the mother and baby as advised by the doctor should be kept ready and accessible, so that there is no occasion for rushing about looking for things at the crucial time.
Sudden unanticipated Delivery: Often the baby is delivered before the nurse or the doctor arrives, or before the mother-to-be can reach the hospital. In such cases, the following points should be kept in mind.
(1) There is no need to be worried, if the delivery takes place in a normal and natural manner.
(2) The hands must be washed thoroughly before touching the genital region.
(3) As soon as the baby is delivered, its face, mouth, nose and head should be cleaned gently with a soft cloth.
(4) Or a handkerchief, taking care to see that its face is not covered up.
(5) The umbilical cord should be cut with a pair of scissors, and the placenta or after – birth permitted to be ejected in the natural course.
(6) The things and the buttocks of the mother should be wiped clean, but touching the vagina should be avoided.
(7) Let the mother have complete rest after the delivery. She can be given a warm drink if she feels a desire for it.
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