correctly interpreted the changes which occur in her body, as well as
the sensations for which these changes are responsible, she would
escape the uneasiness of mind that causes many sorts of discomfort.
It is unfortunately true, however, that her lack of familiarity with
the facts about pregnancy and her belief in unfounded traditions
frequently lead to the misinterpretation of natural conditions. An
anxious frame of mind also causes real ailments to assume an
importance out of all proportion to their actual significance.

Patients who have followed my advice to place themselves in the care
of a physician as soon as they clearly recognize the existence of
pregnancy will receive his assistance in properly estimating the
significance of what they notice. This service is by no means the
least the obstetrician renders his patients. His opinion should
always be sought when symptoms are not understood; but it is not
unusual for patients to bring to the doctor's attention many
complaints that would pass unnoticed if they taught themselves to
restrain the imagination, to refrain from pessimistic reflections,
and to divert their thoughts from themselves to outside affairs.

Generally it is during the early months of pregnancy that patients
are most likely to be self-centered, and consequently suffer from
many annoyances that either proceed from or are exaggerated by this
faulty frame of mind. During this period a prospective mother is not
fully aware of the meaning of pregnancy. Toward the twentieth week,
however, she perceives the movements of the child and her thoughts
are turned to it instinctively. About this time many of the
discomforts of pregnancy disappear and there ensues a period of
unusually good health. Perhaps it would be going too far to give this
more wholesome altruistic mental attitude the entire credit for the