Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1923-07-21

ONE Of the reasons for engaging .
doctor early 10 that he may advise
with the mother in determining where
the baby shall b born He viii be
influenced particularly by the result Of
his examination. II there is indication
of any unusual condition, be will prob
ably advise the mother TO 60 to hos
pital, If there 10 good one available.
There Is an increasing tendency. for
women to have their confinement take
place In hospitals, and such a method
has many advantages. If the doctors
examination shows pelvic deformity
that would probably require an opera
tive procedure at child birth, he would
almost certainly desire the mother to be
IN the hospital. Many physicians pre-
fer that the woman having her first
baby should be in the hospital. and.
again, II In the course Of the waiting
period some Unforeseen complication
develops. it 10 often advisable to have
treatment continued In a hospital.
THE distance Of the. patients home
from the doctor making it impos-
sible for him to come promptly or to
carry out satisfactory prenatal or post
natal care is another reason for sus-
costing hospital for the confinement.
The advantages of hospital arr; self
evident. There is at hand everything
needed in the way Of equipment, and
such an institution Is ready to meet
any emergency that may arise. Too. 1t
assures the mother of good after-care
and saves the physicians time, as, Of
course. In q hospital ne can see several
patients in less time than is possible
II they are living in distant homes. Y
The expense of hospital. unless sps-
eial nursing is required. is perhaps less
than that at home. If one deducts the
salary and maintenance Of nurse and
the cost Of the supplies which must
be procured for a confinement in the
home. IA
THE disadvantages In hospital care
are that it removes the patient from
her own home and the oversight Of her
household for considerable period. 1t
IL possible, too. that there may be some
risk in taking the patient to hospital
II this is delayed too long.
UnQuestionably, there should be in
every county Of the State one or more
hospitals available for confinement
cases, as there is undoubtedly an added
unnecessary risk when obstetrical pro-
eedures are undertaken In the home.
The services Of q, hospital tend to raise
the standard Of medical practice in the
rural districts. With good nursing, COM
plete case records, laboratory and X-ray
facilities furnished by the hospital, the
busy practitioner is able to study his
eases more thoroughly, often make q
more accurate diagnosis. and carry on
more satisfactory treatment in the hos
pital than in the home.
CUCH county hospital can become
a center for the physicians Of the
community, to meet to exchange views
and 30 more easily keep >up with the
progress, Of their profession. However,
for long time, even in the rural dis
tricts, the average normal obstetrical
case will usually be cared for tn the
home. ~
A public health nurse. if there is one
available, can prove herself Invaluable
ct this time, not only In procuring the
best available obstetrical nurse but
also in assisting and preparing the home
for the confinement. For example, if
there is choice, bright, sunny room
should be selected. Heavy draperies
should be removed. and If possible a
single bedstead procured, about thirty
inches high, with firm mattress and so
situated as to have the foot in good
light by day and night. The room should
be given a housekeeping at least two
weeks before the baby is expected.
The making or buying of necessary
supplies both for the mother and the
baby should not be delayed until the later
DE-
Reprinted by permissio
~ HE dress Of the waiting mother
= is not an unimportant subject.
Clothes properly planned add much
10 her comfort and enable her to