he pains of child-birth and the
troubles coming before and after it.

To see that the medical man is one thoroughly competent is the first
duty of those responsible in such a case. Incompetent and careless
doctors are the cause of much trouble. Get, then, the _best you can_.
Much may be done, however, to prevent trouble by very simple means.

The sufferings usually accompanying pregnancy and the birth of children
in civilized countries are largely confined to the higher classes.
Working women escape much of the pain their more luxurious sisters have
to endure. Travellers tell us how, among the Red Indians, Negroes,
South Sea Islanders and others who live more in a state of nature than
we, the women suffer but little in childbirth, and return to their
ordinary occupations almost immediately after the event. The adoption
of a simple and natural diet, healthy exercise combined with sufficient
rest and rational clothing, have been found to ensure an easy delivery
as well as good health for mother and child.

The _diet_ of the pregnant mother is of great importance. Too much food
is worse than useless. Food should only be taken of such a kind and
quality as can be easily assimilated. The mother is best who takes only
so much light food as she can easily convert into good blood. More,
simply loads the system with useless waste or fat.

The diet during pregnancy should be mainly vegetables, fruit, salad,
rice, tapioca, milk, eggs in moderation, and a small amount of
wholemeal bread. A little meat or fish once a day is allowable for
those whom it suits, but rich, spicy dishes, pastry, strong tea, coffee
and all alcoholic drinks are very injurious. Three meals a day with no
"snacks" of any kind between, are sufficient. For those who have reason
to dread a hard confinement, oatmeal is best avoided. To avoid fluids
while eating is important, especially for those who have a weak
digestion. One may drink half-an-hour before meals or three hours
after, but if plenty of fruit and salad is eaten and little salt used
with the food there will be little thirst. Too much fluid should not be
drunk, if thirst is felt, water very slowly sipped will quench it
better than copious draughts. During pregnancy there is often a craving
for acid fruits, this is nature's call for what is needful at such a
time. Fruits and green vegetables supply a large quantity of most
valuable salts which go to make good blood and build up all parts of
the body.