Bathing

Categories: Obstetrics or Midwifery

Extremes in hot and cold bathing should be avoided. The skin
should be kept active by daily comfortable baths, followed by a brisk

rubbing with a rough towel. The Bowels and Bladder. The bowels, as before

stated, are usually constipated and should be kept open by coarse foods,

fruit and, when necessary, mild laxatives; mineral waters and enemas

especially should not be given. It should not be forgotten that in some

women inje tions into the bowel are liable to bring on contractions of the

womb.



No woman, and especially no pregnant woman, should ever neglect the

bowels, as much discomfort and ill health are caused by improper

eliminations of the bowel contents. The bladder should also have proper

care. This is apt to be irritable during the early and later months of

pregnancy, owing to being pressed upon by the womb. A mild inflammation

arises in some cases. The woman should take plenty of water, either pure

or effervescing, to induce sufficient secretion in the kidneys, and also

to flush them. This is also very good for an irritable bladder. In order

that the physician may keep himself informed regarding the condition of

the kidneys, the urine of every pregnant woman should be examined, both

chemically and microscopically, every two weeks from the beginning of

pregnancy; during the late months of pregnancy the urine analysis should

be made weekly. Catherized specimens should be used because leucorrheal

discharges, so common in pregnancy, may give the albumin reaction. If the

above advice of Dr. Manton, of Detroit, was followed in every case there

would be fewer cases of trouble during the confinement. I remember one

case; the lady was seven months along when I was called. She was feeling

badly and complained much of her eyes; an analysis of the urine showed

thick with albumin. The failure of her sight was due to thc condition of

her kidneys. If the urine had been examined early and often, her condition

might have been prevented. Watch the kidneys, have the urine examined

frequently and carefully.