PREPARATIONS FOR CONFINEMENT.
When a woman is expected to be sick, if a physician has not been engaged
as one should have been, no time should be lost in seeking quietly to
notify one. It is just as important that a doctor should be in
attendance before the birth of a poor woman’s child as that he should be
present before the birth of the child of wealth. And it should be
considered inhuman in any physician to purposely absent him or herself
until after the birth of the child. With a little benevolence and
perseverance, the most humble in life can be provided with bedstead and
bedding, upon which should be fixed securely pads of cotton batting, or
woollen cloths. Also there should be provided clean apparel for a change
of under-garments, should such change be needful. The chemise and gown
should be well taken up so as to be kept dry; as wet or soiled bedding
or apparel in time of labor is a frequent cause of severe chills. For
the same reason, should instruments or vessels be warmed before
inserting, in the case of instrumental labors. The surrounding
atmosphere should be comfortable, never too warm or too cold. When there
is no physician present, and a child is so fortunate as to “born
itself,” surely some one can be found to assist it to survive the task.
After cautiously looking under cover to see that the infant’s face is
clear from contact of any parts or particles, patience will aid in
determining how best to complete a well-begun job.
BORN WITH A CAUL.
It is no uncommon thing, in hasty labor, for the bag of water to break
and remain close around the face and neck of the child. This is done by
the quick, rolling motion in coming into the world. The force of the
descent breaks the thin skin or bag, and the same force packs the face
into it; so that it remains over the face, partly around the neck, and
sometimes over the head as well. Were it not removed, the child must
suffocate. This circumstance at a birth has given rise to the sayings,
“Born with a caul,” “Born with a veil,” etc. The proper way to remove
this bag or membrane is, from over the head down, as lifting it may pull
open the eyes; thereby bringing the eyeball in contact with the fluid or
the chalk-like substance, thus laying the foundation for sore eyes.
After twenty minutes or more, beating having ceased in the cord,—which
may be known by pressing closely between the fingers that part nearest
the belly of the child,—it should be tied by means of a flat knot, with
lamp wicking, or many strands of white spool cotton, about a finger’s
length from the belly. In case of twins, there should be a second tie
the same length from the first, and the cord cut between the two ties.
There have been times when women depended largely upon each other, in
their helpless hours of confinement; it may be so again, but with a far
greater chance of successful results.