MATERNITY AND CHILD-BIRTH
Our object in the foregoing chapters has been to point out the unity of
origin and treatment of some of the more common diseases. We are,
indeed, fully aware that those who are the constant victims of disease,
and who are constantly oppressed by the fear of death, will still
continue to put themselves at the mercy of doctors, in spite of all that
we might say against it. We venture to think, however, that there would
be at least a few who are willing to cure themselves of their diseases
by purely natural processes, so as to save themselves from all further
attacks; and such persons would surely find it worth while to follow the
simple directions we have given. Before concluding this book, we will
also give a few hints on maternity and the care of the child, as well as
some common accidents.
In the lower orders of the animal creation, the pangs of child-birth are
altogether unknown. The same should really be the case with perfectly
healthy women. In fact, most women in the country regard child-birth as
quite an ordinary matter; they continue to do their normal work till
almost the last moment, and experience hardly any pain at the time of
delivery. Women employed in labour have also been known to be able very
often to return to work almost immediately after child-birth.
How comes it, then, that women in towns and cities have to endure so
much pain and suffering at the time of child-birth? And why is it that
they have to receive special treatment before and after the delivery?
The answer is simple and obvious. The women in towns have to lead an
unnatural life. Their food, their costume, their mode of life, in
general, offend against the natural laws of healthy living. Further,
besides becoming pregnant at a premature age, they are the sad victims
of men's lust even after pregnancy, as well as immediately after
child-birth, so that conception again takes place at too short an
interval. This is the state of utter misery and wretchedness in which
lakhs of our young girls and women find themselves in our country
to-day. To my mind, life under such conditions is little removed from
the tortures of hell. So long as men continue to behave so monstrously,
there can be no hope of happiness for our women. Many men put the blame
on the women's shoulders; but it is none of our business here to weigh
the relative guilt of man and woman in this matter. We are only
concerned to recognise the existence of the evil, and to point out its
cure. Let all married people realise, once for all, that, so long as
sexual enjoyment at a premature age, as well as during pregnancy and
soon after child-birth, does not cease to exist in our land, an easy and
painless child-birth must remain a wild dream. Women silently endure the
pangs of child-birth, as well as the subsequent period of confinement,
under the wrong notion that they are inevitable, but they fail to see
how their own ignorance and weakness of will make their children grow
weaker and droop from day to day. It is the clear duty of every man and
woman to try to avert this calamity at any cost. If even a single man
and woman should do their duty in this matter, to that extent it would
mean the elevation of the world. And this is clearly a matter in which
no man need or should wait for another's example.
It follows, then, that the very first duty of the husband is wholly to
abstain from all sexual intercourse with the wife from the moment of
conception. And great is the responsibility that rests on the wife
during the nine months that follow. She should be made to realise that
the character of the child to be born will depend entirely on her life
and conduct during this sacred period. If she fills her mind with love
for all things that are good and noble, the child will also manifest the
same disposition; if, on the other hand, she gives way to anger and
other evil passions, her child will necessarily inherit the same. Hence
in these nine months, she should engage herself constantly in good
works, free her mind from all fear and worry, give no room for any evil
thoughts or feelings, keep out all untruth from her life, and waste not
a moment in idle talk or deed. The child that is born of such a
mother,--how can it help being noble and strong?
The pregnant woman should, of course, keep her body as pure as her mind.
She should breathe plenty of fresh air, and eat only so much of plain
and wholesome food as she can easily digest. If she attends to all the
directions already given in the matter of diet etc., she would have no
need at all to seek the aid of doctors. If she suffers from
constipation, the proportion of olive oil in the diet should be
increased; and in cases of nausea or vomitting, she should take juice of
lime in water without sugar. All spices and condiments should be
scrupulously avoided.
The yearning for various new things that attends a woman in pregnancy
may be restrained by the use of "Kuhne Baths". This is also useful in
increasing her strength and vitality, and in easing the pangs of
child-birth. It is also necessary to steel her mind against such
yearnings by nipping in the bud each desire as it comes. The parents
should be constantly mindful of the welfare of the child in the womb.
It is also the husband's duty during this period to refrain from all
wranglings with his wife, and to conduct himself in such a way as to
make her cheerful and happy. She should be relieved of the heavier
duties of household management, and made to walk for some time every day
in fresh air. And on no account should she be given any drugs or
medicines during the period.