mind. Since most women are absorbed in the affairs of the home, it
may be well to begin by saying that the existence of pregnancy by no
means requires the abandonment of domestic duties. On the contrary,
when it is convenient, the prospective mother should have a share in
the housework. She should not undertake everything that is to be done
about the house, for no matter how small the household there are
certain duties too laborious for her to attempt; these will be easily
recognized and turned over to someone else. Even with regard to those
tasks which lie within her strength she should use a little
forethought to prevent unnecessary steps.

All kinds of violent exertion should be avoided--a rule which at once
excludes sweeping, scrubbing, laundry work, lifting anything that is
heavy, and going up and down stairs hurriedly or frequently. The use
of a sewing machine is also emphatically forbidden. Treadle work is
known to be one cause of swollen feet, of varicose veins, and of
aches and pains in the legs or the abdomen. If a prospective mother
has to do her own sewing, the machine should be fitted with a hand
attachment or motor. Except for the possibility of straining the
eyes, there is no objection to sewing by hand.

Besides the activities that should be excluded because they may be
harmful, every housekeeper will find enough to keep her busy. It is
generally not a small task to suggest what others shall do and to see
that orders are properly carried out; consequently those who take no
part in the actual work may retain an absorbing interest in their
domestic affairs by directing them. Such direction, indeed, should,
toward the end of pregnancy, constitute the mother's sole
participation in the housework.