GENERAL HYGIENIC MEASURES

The Need of Fresh Air--Outdoor Exercise--Massage and Gymnastics--The
Influence of Work upon Pregnancy--Relaxation and Rest--Is Traveling
Harmful?--Mental Diversion.

Besides the hygienic measures described in the preceding chapter,
whose observance should be recognized as more or less obligatory,
there are more general questions of conduct, such as exercise,
relaxation, mental occupation, and amusement, which are also
important. These measures, although frequently determined merely by
personal inclination or by the force of circumstances, nevertheless
exert a tremendous influence upon health. This fact a prospective
mother is likely to realize, for she is certain to consider not only
her own welfare but also that of the expected child; and she is
consequently concerned about details of conduct that most persons
would regard as trivial. She may, indeed, be too conscientious. Well-
meaning friends, sometimes in reply to her questions and sometimes
without solicitation, offer her a great deal of advice. Their
counsel, aside from the fact that some of it may be misleading, may
have the effect of prescribing so many rules that, if she followed
them all, she would never lose sight of the fact that she is
pregnant. Such a degree of self-consciousness is certain to make her
unduly apprehensive. The proper attitude of mind is quite the
opposite; so far as possible the prospective mother should forget
that she is pregnant. This state of mind is really the more rational,
for if a woman's daily life has previously been in accord with such
simple rules of health as everyone should adopt, the existence of
pregnancy calls for very slight changes.