There are several distressing8 ailments11 which afflict12 the pregnant woman, and which are too often by the uninformed considered a necessity, hence nothing is done for them. Leavitt has said wisely, “The general health is already frequently disturbed, and the system in an enfeebled state, when pregnancy is established. The woman at once enters on the trying experiences of early gestation—attributing nearly all her symptoms to the physiological13 changes being wrought14 in her organism. Viewing them also as, in great measure essential features of her condition,[148] she is prone15 to neglect proper attention to hygienic rules.”
Another mistake is too frequently made by the women, and indulged by the physician, namely, considering the pregnant state a pathological, diseased, or unnatural condition, in every instance, while it should be in the majority of cases purely16 a physiological, natural and healthy condition. True, woman is not exempt17 during pregnancy from the various ills that assail18 her sex, and the human family as a whole; but that every ailment10 with which she is assailed19 should be attributed to her condition is a mistake, and a greater mistake is to neglect proper treatment for these ills.
The morning sickness is one of the most common and troublesome ailments of the parturient, and one which is most often neglected. But it is likewise one which can be controlled in the majority of instances. Do not neglect it, but see to it at once. Plenty of exercise in the open air, well-aired sleeping rooms, pleasant surroundings and suitable food go far to mitigate20 this ill, but the doctor will need to be consulted at times. The diet of women suffering from morning sickness, should be regulated, and nothing deleterious to her allowed. Often the aggravated21 ailment[149] can be traced to vagaries22 of appetite, which have been foolishly indulged, which corrected, and a reasonable diet substituted, will do much to aid the cure. Often a few mouthfuls of food or a cup of coffee taken in the morning before rising will prove of decided23 benefit, and should be tried before medicines are resorted to.
The false notion that the pregnant woman “must eat for two,” and so proceed to indulge her appetite to the utmost, should be corrected. The appetite should be kept under in pregnancy as carefully as at any other time, and rather than otherwise, more care be taken in the selection of food, and regularity24 of meals.
Leavitt recommends as articles specially25 suited to the earlier months of pregnancy, the following:—“Mutton-broth, chicken-broth, oysters26, clams27 and fish. When they have heretofore agreed, the following may also be eaten: beef, mutton, chicken, game, eggs, stale bread, oat meal, rice, baked potatoes, spinach28, macaroni, greens, celery, green peas, lettuce29, asparagus, oranges, grapes, and stewed30 fruit. Desserts should in most instances be avoided.”
These do not of course include all the harmless articles, and a simple and comprehensive[150] rule is this: any article of food that is hygienic and does not disagree may be partaken of with impunity31.
Sometimes the nausea may be due to other causes than those exciting simple nausea. If it is persistent32 and aggravated a displaced uterus may be the cause. This when corrected will effect a cure like magic.
In the later months of pregnancy the nausea, if any, is due to another cause than that which excites it in the earlier months. Compression and a changed character of the secretions33, are the exciting causes at this time, yet even here attention to diet will do much toward correcting the distress9. “At this period all articles of food which will increase the fermentative action, so easily set up, ought to be avoided. Such are mainly those containing starch34, sugar and fat.”
The mental state of the woman needs careful attention as well as the physical. Among the early Greeks a pregnant woman was held so much in reverence35 that she was guarded almost sacredly, and shielded from all possible annoyances37. No troublesome or unsightly thing was allowed in her presence, and she was surrounded with pleasing and delightful38 companions, pictures and occupations.[151] This might with profit be emulated39 by the people of to-day. An unpleasant companion in the home, a dull, monotonous40, treadmill41 existence will often drive a pregnant woman to the verge42 of distraction43; while on the other hand the thought that she is the subject of tender solicitude44 and care, that she is petted and indulged in her harmless desires, will make the period of pregnancy a long holiday.
Above all, keep all croaking45 companions away. You will find in every neighborhood, women who delight to give in detail all the terrible cases they have ever heard or imagined, and these are the women that you should shun46, and in plain words, forbid the introduction of such topics if necessary.
Sometimes another distressing gastric disturbance47, which may give much annoyance36, is a want of appetite, or disgust for food. A change of scene or surroundings for a time, with an entire change of table, will often be all that is necessary to correct this. A visit to the mother or a dear friend, will relieve the monotony, and often give the change desired. This very often is the result of mental disturbance rather than physical, and so yields when the proper remedy, change, is prescribed and taken.
Acidity48 of the stomach and heartburn can be relieved with the appropriate remedy. “Temporary relief will often be afforded by a swallow of pure glycerine, or a half teaspoonful49 dose of aromatic50 spirits of ammonia.”
Neuralgia of the stomach calls for the doctor. Ptyalism, or an excessive flow of saliva51; pruritus, or a distressing itching52 of the genitals or of the abdominal53 wall; face-ache or neuralgia of the fifth nerve, are all relieved only by the proper prescription54 from the physician.
Insomnia, which often proves very troublesome, can often be cured by more outdoor air, and diversion during the day, and a brisk walk in the good fresh evening air, followed by the sitz bath or bath taken in sitting posture55, with only the parts about the hips56 submerged in hot water just before retiring; or a quick sponge bath, rather cool than warm, just before going to rest for the night will often act well as a sedative57.
The urine in quality and quantity should be carefully looked after, and should be examined by the physician several times during the later months of pregnancy, that its condition may be known.
Hysteria may appear in some of its various forms, but when the cause, which is[153] more often than otherwise due to indigestion, excessive fatigue58, loss of sleep, unpleasant surroundings or companions, “operating on a nervous system, very sensitive, and already a little out of tune”—when the cause is removed the hysteria will vanish.
Constipation, which in this state as in all others is more often than otherwise, simply a bad habit, proves at many times a great annoyance. Care from the very outset should be taken to keep the bowels59 open. Often all that is necessary, is proper attention to diet, exercise and good air. Diminished intestinal60 action is doubtless an exciting cause, and this can be met by greater activity on the part of the woman, and a selection of food that is easily digested and laxative in character. If constipation is neglected there may result an accumulation of feces or waste matter in the rectum and large intestine61 sometimes of great size, which may prove a great obstruction62 to labor63, or even interrupt pregnancy prematurely64. Fruits, graham bread, figs65, stewed prunes66, and liberal quantities of hot water sipped67 slowly, thirty or forty minutes before each meal, will often prove all the medicine needed.
The longings of pregnancy are a matter of notion and imagination run wild more often[154] than otherwise. A strong self-controlled woman is not troubled with any longings for things beyond her reach. Hence should she desire a thing that it will be difficult for her to get, let her exercise reason, and good judgment68 in the denial, and the longing6 will not trouble her.
Finally the woman during pregnancy should cultivate self-control, and be governed by common sense in every event. Let wisdom guide her in the habits of exercise, eating, occupation, society and recreation, and as a rule all will go well, and there will be no cause for worry throughout the entire term.
点击收听单词发音
1 pregnancy | |
n.怀孕,怀孕期 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 unnatural | |
adj.不自然的;反常的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 nausea | |
n.作呕,恶心;极端的憎恶(或厌恶) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 gastric | |
adj.胃的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 insomnia | |
n.失眠,失眠症 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 longing | |
n.(for)渴望 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 longings | |
渴望,盼望( longing的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 distressing | |
a.使人痛苦的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 distress | |
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 ailment | |
n.疾病,小病 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 ailments | |
疾病(尤指慢性病),不适( ailment的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 afflict | |
vt.使身体或精神受痛苦,折磨 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 physiological | |
adj.生理学的,生理学上的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 wrought | |
v.引起;以…原料制作;运转;adj.制造的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 prone | |
adj.(to)易于…的,很可能…的;俯卧的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 purely | |
adv.纯粹地,完全地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 exempt | |
adj.免除的;v.使免除;n.免税者,被免除义务者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 assail | |
v.猛烈攻击,抨击,痛斥 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 assailed | |
v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 );困扰;质问;毅然应对 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 mitigate | |
vt.(使)减轻,(使)缓和 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 aggravated | |
使恶化( aggravate的过去式和过去分词 ); 使更严重; 激怒; 使恼火 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 vagaries | |
n.奇想( vagary的名词复数 );异想天开;异常行为;难以预测的情况 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 decided | |
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 regularity | |
n.规律性,规则性;匀称,整齐 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 specially | |
adv.特定地;特殊地;明确地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 oysters | |
牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 clams | |
n.蛤;蚌,蛤( clam的名词复数 )v.(在沙滩上)挖蛤( clam的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 spinach | |
n.菠菜 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 lettuce | |
n.莴苣;生菜 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 stewed | |
adj.焦虑不安的,烂醉的v.炖( stew的过去式和过去分词 );煨;思考;担忧 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 impunity | |
n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 persistent | |
adj.坚持不懈的,执意的;持续的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 secretions | |
n.分泌(物)( secretion的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 starch | |
n.淀粉;vt.给...上浆 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 reverence | |
n.敬畏,尊敬,尊严;Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称;v.尊敬,敬畏,崇敬 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 annoyance | |
n.恼怒,生气,烦恼 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 annoyances | |
n.恼怒( annoyance的名词复数 );烦恼;打扰;使人烦恼的事 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 delightful | |
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 emulated | |
v.与…竞争( emulate的过去式和过去分词 );努力赶上;计算机程序等仿真;模仿 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 monotonous | |
adj.单调的,一成不变的,使人厌倦的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 treadmill | |
n.踏车;单调的工作 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 verge | |
n.边,边缘;v.接近,濒临 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 distraction | |
n.精神涣散,精神不集中,消遣,娱乐 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 solicitude | |
n.焦虑 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 croaking | |
v.呱呱地叫( croak的现在分词 );用粗的声音说 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 shun | |
vt.避开,回避,避免 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 disturbance | |
n.动乱,骚动;打扰,干扰;(身心)失调 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 acidity | |
n.酸度,酸性 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 teaspoonful | |
n.一茶匙的量;一茶匙容量 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 aromatic | |
adj.芳香的,有香味的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 saliva | |
n.唾液,口水 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 itching | |
adj.贪得的,痒的,渴望的v.发痒( itch的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 abdominal | |
adj.腹(部)的,下腹的;n.腹肌 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 prescription | |
n.处方,开药;指示,规定 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 posture | |
n.姿势,姿态,心态,态度;v.作出某种姿势 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 hips | |
abbr.high impact polystyrene 高冲击强度聚苯乙烯,耐冲性聚苯乙烯n.臀部( hip的名词复数 );[建筑学]屋脊;臀围(尺寸);臀部…的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 sedative | |
adj.使安静的,使镇静的;n. 镇静剂,能使安静的东西 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 fatigue | |
n.疲劳,劳累 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 bowels | |
n.肠,内脏,内部;肠( bowel的名词复数 );内部,最深处 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 intestinal | |
adj.肠的;肠壁;肠道细菌 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 intestine | |
adj.内部的;国内的;n.肠 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 obstruction | |
n.阻塞,堵塞;障碍物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 labor | |
n.劳动,努力,工作,劳工;分娩;vi.劳动,努力,苦干;vt.详细分析;麻烦 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 prematurely | |
adv.过早地,贸然地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 figs | |
figures 数字,图形,外形 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66 prunes | |
n.西梅脯,西梅干( prune的名词复数 )v.修剪(树木等)( prune的第三人称单数 );精简某事物,除去某事物多余的部分 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 sipped | |
v.小口喝,呷,抿( sip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68 judgment | |
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |