The first and most important signs of pregnancy are:
1) Cessation of menstruation
2) Changes in the breasts
3) Morning sickness
4) Disturbances in urination
The cessation of the menses is probably the most significant, yet, other causes may operate to retard or
suspend the menstrual flow. Tenderness and stinging of the breast are another indication.
In the beginning of pregnancy there is often a desire to empty the bladder very frequently, chiefly due to the
irritation against the bladder, caused by the growing uterus. This irritation usually disappears when the uterus
begins to rise in the abdomen after the first few weeks.
Nine months of thirty day each is commonly termed the pregnancy period. One way to estimate delivery is to
count forward, 280 days from the beginning of the last menstrual period, thus allowing seven days for the
menstrual period. Another method is to count back 3 months from the beginning of the last period and then add
seven days.
During pregnancy woman should exercise to insure complete oxidation of waste from the system. Proper
exercise gives healthy elasticity to the uterus thus preventing much discomfort during pregnancy and averts
prolonged labor. The healthy uterus will then return to its normal size after childbirth.
During pregnancy, it is important for women to stand correctly. The rib cage should be well expanded, the
head carried erect and the chest expanded and the weight over the ankles of the feet; this allows the stomach
room, protected by the rib cage, as the fetus enlarges and rises in the abdomen.
Walking is desirable because it brings the expectant mother out into the fresh air, relaxes nerves and she
breathes more deeply.
Tight, fitting clothes should not be worn during pregnancy as they impede circulation and digestion. The
clothing should be loose, giving the abdomen, waist and chest room.
The bowels should be kept regular by eating foods such as cereals, bran, figs, prunes, and other fruits and
vegetables. Due to the pressure of the enlarging uterus upon the intestines, the mother may become
constipated and it very important that there be a bowel movement at least once daily and twice is preferable.
Liquids along with apricots, pears, orange, cherries, pineapples, grapes, strawberries and other fruits should be
consumed.
Keep the kidneys active by fresh water, exercise and by eating diuretic foods. Dandelions, buttermilk,
horseradish, onions, spinach and asparagus are natural diuretics. If the urine shows albumin, meats, eggs and
highly nitrogenous foods should be avoided or the quantity lessened. In general the mother should eat a good,
nourishing diet.
Since the child gains half its weight in the last two months of pregnancy, this will require an increased demand
for the heat and energy giving foods. Milk makes a good addition between meals or at bedtime.
Abundant sleep and periods of complete relaxation are essential for the health of the pregnant woman.
In the event of nausea, give the stomach a rest. Nausea is often relieved by sipping very hot water, which has
a tendency to relax the nerves of the muscles of the stomach. Very often, a little nourishment before arising will
prevent this. A cracker, an apple, a slice of toast or any simple nourishment will do. An excellent, preventive
measure is to take 6, small meals a day opposed to 3, large ones. If, however, nausea persists and increases,
then the physician should be called.
As the uterus grows, it is necessary to throw off more waste. This is why the pores of the skin must be kept
open by regular cleansing. The use of a coarse towel for drying and dry brushing of the skin is excellent to help
accomplish this. Some of the symptoms that the wastes are not being properly eliminated are: repeated
headaches, dizziness, puffiness on the face and hands, seeing spots, nerve pains and twitching of the muscles.
As a rule, this indicates that the mother has not been getting the proper amount of exercise, fresh air, drinking
enough fluids or eating enough laxative foods.
To remedy this, don’t over-eat meats, drink plenty of water, take exercise, get fresh air daily, bathe regularly,
get plenty of sleep and get a mental diversion or change of routine for a happy, frame of mind. When it’s all
over, enjoy one of God’s greatest blessings.
1) Cessation of menstruation
2) Changes in the breasts
3) Morning sickness
4) Disturbances in urination
The cessation of the menses is probably the most significant, yet, other causes may operate to retard or
suspend the menstrual flow. Tenderness and stinging of the breast are another indication.
In the beginning of pregnancy there is often a desire to empty the bladder very frequently, chiefly due to the
irritation against the bladder, caused by the growing uterus. This irritation usually disappears when the uterus
begins to rise in the abdomen after the first few weeks.
Nine months of thirty day each is commonly termed the pregnancy period. One way to estimate delivery is to
count forward, 280 days from the beginning of the last menstrual period, thus allowing seven days for the
menstrual period. Another method is to count back 3 months from the beginning of the last period and then add
seven days.
During pregnancy woman should exercise to insure complete oxidation of waste from the system. Proper
exercise gives healthy elasticity to the uterus thus preventing much discomfort during pregnancy and averts
prolonged labor. The healthy uterus will then return to its normal size after childbirth.
During pregnancy, it is important for women to stand correctly. The rib cage should be well expanded, the
head carried erect and the chest expanded and the weight over the ankles of the feet; this allows the stomach
room, protected by the rib cage, as the fetus enlarges and rises in the abdomen.
Walking is desirable because it brings the expectant mother out into the fresh air, relaxes nerves and she
breathes more deeply.
Tight, fitting clothes should not be worn during pregnancy as they impede circulation and digestion. The
clothing should be loose, giving the abdomen, waist and chest room.
The bowels should be kept regular by eating foods such as cereals, bran, figs, prunes, and other fruits and
vegetables. Due to the pressure of the enlarging uterus upon the intestines, the mother may become
constipated and it very important that there be a bowel movement at least once daily and twice is preferable.
Liquids along with apricots, pears, orange, cherries, pineapples, grapes, strawberries and other fruits should be
consumed.
Keep the kidneys active by fresh water, exercise and by eating diuretic foods. Dandelions, buttermilk,
horseradish, onions, spinach and asparagus are natural diuretics. If the urine shows albumin, meats, eggs and
highly nitrogenous foods should be avoided or the quantity lessened. In general the mother should eat a good,
nourishing diet.
Since the child gains half its weight in the last two months of pregnancy, this will require an increased demand
for the heat and energy giving foods. Milk makes a good addition between meals or at bedtime.
Abundant sleep and periods of complete relaxation are essential for the health of the pregnant woman.
In the event of nausea, give the stomach a rest. Nausea is often relieved by sipping very hot water, which has
a tendency to relax the nerves of the muscles of the stomach. Very often, a little nourishment before arising will
prevent this. A cracker, an apple, a slice of toast or any simple nourishment will do. An excellent, preventive
measure is to take 6, small meals a day opposed to 3, large ones. If, however, nausea persists and increases,
then the physician should be called.
As the uterus grows, it is necessary to throw off more waste. This is why the pores of the skin must be kept
open by regular cleansing. The use of a coarse towel for drying and dry brushing of the skin is excellent to help
accomplish this. Some of the symptoms that the wastes are not being properly eliminated are: repeated
headaches, dizziness, puffiness on the face and hands, seeing spots, nerve pains and twitching of the muscles.
As a rule, this indicates that the mother has not been getting the proper amount of exercise, fresh air, drinking
enough fluids or eating enough laxative foods.
To remedy this, don’t over-eat meats, drink plenty of water, take exercise, get fresh air daily, bathe regularly,
get plenty of sleep and get a mental diversion or change of routine for a happy, frame of mind. When it’s all
over, enjoy one of God’s greatest blessings.
| PREGNANCY |
