I had a very natural confinement with both, and a short, sharp time of
labour with the first, rather more lingering with the second. My first
was what they call a dry labour, and a very sick one--the worst the
doctor had had--and it was very exhausting to me. The best times are
bad enough, but I was told by the nurse that mine were good times. With
the first she stayed a month, and the second three weeks, being called
to another case. I think I was very fortunate in having a good mother,
who always taught us from childhood how to live to be healthy, and both
my sister and I had natural confinements through following her advice
when young; that is what makes me so keen on “Moral Hygiene.” Young
women do not take care or have proper exercise enough. Ordinary work
does not do the harm. I did all my housework and the washing right up
to the time of confinement both times, but I did not whitewash or do
papering, as I know some do, and then wonder why they miscarry. Another
one I know of insisted on the doctor giving chloroform, as she was sure
she would never get through it without. Of course, I am very active,
while some are indolent, and that has a great deal to do with it; and I
made a practice of getting outdoor exercise every day, if not too far
towards the end of the time, and at great inconvenience, as with the
boy I had piles very bad, and often had to stop a moment or two before
I could go on, but of course it was at night when I went out. I also
had heartburn with both a short time, and a bad attack of indigestion,
which I never suffer from at other times, but which the doctor soon
relieved.
_Two children._