The BED CLOTHING as well as the body linen should be changed frequently. In changing the upper sheet it should be pulled off from below, and the clean one can be carried down in its place without removing the other bedclothes, by plaiting the lower half of it. To put on a clean under-sheet, plait one side of it, and place that under the patient while she lies on her side, then let her turn on her back or other side onto it, and draw out the plaited part. Care of this kind is necessary until she is able to sit. Have the sheets well aired, and have a proper temperature in the room.
THE LYING-IN ROOM should always be kept well ventilated and rather cool; it is injurious to the patient to have the room kept at a high temperature. Perhaps the ventilation can be secured by having a little fire in the room, and by occasionally leaving the door of the apartment ajar, at the same time being careful to guard against draughts. But visitors remaining in the room, or any additional number of persons, serve to vitiate the air, as well as to prevent the necessary repose of the patient. A sensation of chilliness may be felt by the woman after delivery, and her feet may be cold; if they are, something warm should be applied to them, and sufficient clothing should be on the bed; but afterwards be careful not to overload her with clothes, as well as to avoid having the room overheated.
TOO MUCH LIGHT in the room may be injurious to the eyes of the mother or child, and it is often necessary to darken the room somewhat for a few days.
The lying-in woman will usually be confined to her room for two weeks. After the first fifteen days she may very properly remove to another room adjoining, or near at hand, and during her absence her room and bed may be ventilated by throwing the windows wide open and throwing the bedclothes back. Ordinarily she may, at the end of three weeks, take her meals with the family, but she ought still to lie down occasionally to rest her back. At about this time she may take an airing in a carriage, if the weather be fine.
All lying-in women ought not to be treated alike in regard to DIET, etc. While a light, unstimulating diet is best at first in ordinary cases, the weak and delicate require good, nourishing food from the commencement, such as beef tea, chicken broth, mutton chops, eggs, etc., (F. 57, 58, 59.) Oatmeal gruel increases the secretion of milk, is nourishing and easily digested, at the same time it is simple and bland, and proper for those that are corpulent, or strong and robust, and the same may be said of good cow’s milk. But, as the healthy mother furnishes daily from a quart to a quart and a half, she needs some meat to keep up her strength. Never give stimulants to increase the woman’s strength, or to increase the quantity of milk.