FRIENDS AND RELATIVES IN THE CONFINEMENT CHAMBER.--It is a
safe rule to exclude every one from the confinement room during the later
stages of labor. Sometimes it is desirable to make an exception to this
rule in the interest of the patient, by permitting the mother or husband to
remain. If this exception is made, however, they must be told to conduct
themselves in a way that will tend to keep the patient in cheerful spirits.
They must not sympathize, or go around with solemn, gloomy faces.
Cheerfulness and an encouraging word will tide over a trying moment when
the reverse might prove disastrous.

Practically the same rule applies to the entire period of convalescence
during which time the patient is confined to bed. This is a very important
episode in a woman's life and the consequences may be serious if it is
misused in any way. Friends and relatives do not appreciate the [114]
absolute necessity of guarding the patient from small talk and gossip, and
an unwitting remark may cause grave mental distress, which may retard the
patient's convalescence and disastrously affect the quality and quantity of
her milk, thereby injuring the child.

HOW LONG SHOULD A WOMAN STAY IN BED AFTER A CONFINEMENT?--To answer this
question by stating a specific number of days would be wrong, because, few
women understand the need for staying in bed after they feel well enough to
get up. If any answer was given, it should be at least fourteen days, and
it would be nearer the truth medically to double that time. Let us consider
what is going on at this period. The natural size of the unimpregnated womb
is three by one and three-quarter inches, and its weight is one to two
ounces. The average size of the pregnant womb just previous to labor is
twenty by fourteen inches, and its weight about sixteen ounces. We have,
therefore, an increase of about 600% to be got rid of before it assumes
again its normal condition. This decrease cannot be accomplished quickly by
any known medical miracle. Nature takes time and she will not be hurried:
she will do it in an orderly, perfect manner if she is allowed to. The womb
will again find its proper location and will resume its work, in a
painless, natural way, in due time, if all goes well. The uterus or womb is
held in its place by two bands or ligaments, one on either side, and is
supported in front and back by the structures next to it. These bands keep
the womb in place in much the same way as a c