s principal aim, of course, will be that she will not worry or
have cause to worry. He will so direct her mental attitude that she will
dwell only upon the bright side of the picture; she will thus strive to[79]
realize the hope that the baby will be strong and healthy, and she will,
prompted by his encouragement and devotion, try to do her duty faithfully.
Working together in this way, much can be done that means far more than we
know of, and in the end the little one comes into the world a welcome baby,
created in love and born into the joy of a happy, harmonious, contented
home.

THE SOCIAL SIDE OF PREGNANCY.--The social side of the question should not
be overlooked or neglected at this time. Here again the imperative
necessity arises to warn the young wife against certain individuals who
seem to have a predilection toward recounting all the terrible experiences
they have heard regarding confinements. It is astonishing to learn how
diversified a knowledge some women burden themselves with in this
connection. They can recount case after case, with the harrowing details of
a well-told tale, and seem to delight in so doing. Every physician has met
these women. The young wife must not permit or encourage any reference to
her condition. Simply refusing to discuss the question is the only sure
method of preventing its discussion. She will find among her friends a few
who have her best interests at heart, and these few will strive sincerely
to be of real usefulness to her. If she will keep in mind that the most
important element in the success of the whole period, and consequently the
degree of her own health, happiness, and comfort, as well as that of her
unborn baby, is the character of her own thoughts from day to day, and
month to month, she will be complete master of the situation. By constantly
dwelling on happy thoughts, reading encouraging and inspiring books,
admiring and studying good pictures, working with cheerful colors in sunny
rooms, exercising, dieting, and sleeping in a well-aired room, she will
have no cause to regret her share in the task before her, or the kind of
baby she will bring into the world.

MINOR AILMENTS OF PREGNANCY.--There are certain minor ailments which it
would be well to be familiar with lest a little worry should creep into the
picture.

Maternity is not only a natural physiological function, but it is a [80]
desirable experience for every woman to go through. The parts which
parti