Women Should Be Qualified to Become Mothers. -- Women have need of great
patience before they are qualified to become mothers. God has ordained that they
shall be fitted for this work. The work of the mother becomes infinite through
her connection with Christ. It is beyond understanding. Woman's office is
sacred. The presence of Jesus is needed in the home; for the mother's ministries
of love may shape the home into a Bethel. The husband and the wife are to
co-operate. What a world we would have if all mothers would consecrate
themselves on the altar of God, and would consecrate their offspring to God,
both before and after its birth!
Importance of Prenatal Influences. --The effect of prenatal influences is by
many parents looked upon as a matter of little moment; but heaven does not so
regard it. The message sent by an angel of God, and twice given in the most
solemn manner, shows it to be deserving of our most careful thought.
In the words spoken to the Hebrew mother [the wife of Manoah], God speaks to
all mothers in every age. "Let her beware," the angel said; "all
that I commanded her let her observe." The well-being of the child will be
affected by the habits of the mother. Her appetites and passions are to be
controlled by principle. There is something for her to shun, something for her
to work against, if she fulfills God's purpose for her in giving her a
child.
The world is full of snares for the feet of the young. Multitudes are
attracted by a life of selfish and sensual pleasure. They cannot discern the
hidden dangers or the fearful ending of the path that seems to them the way of happiness. Through
the indulgence of appetite and passion, their energies are wasted, and millions
are ruined for this world and for the world to come. Parents should remember
that their children must encounter these temptations. Even before the birth of
the child, the preparation should begin that will enable it to fight
successfully the battle against evil.
If before the birth of her child she is self-indulgent, if she is selfish,
impatient, and exacting, these traits will be reflected in the disposition of
the child. Thus many children have received as a birthright almost unconquerable
tendencies to evil.
But if the mother unswervingly adheres to right principles, if she is
temperate and self-denying, if she is kind, gentle, and unselfish, she may give
her child these same precious traits of character.
Essentials of Prenatal Care. --It is an error generally committed to make no
difference in the life of a woman previous to the birth of her children. At this
important period the labour of the mother should be lightened. Great changes are
going on in her system. It requires a greater amount of blood, and therefore an
increase of food of the most nourishing quality to convert into blood. Unless
she has an abundant supply of nutritious food, she cannot retain her physical
strength, and her offspring is robbed of vitality.[* NOTE: SEE COUNSELS ON DIET
AND FOODS, SECTION, "DIET DURING PREGNANCY," FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTION
ON THIS POINT.] Her clothing also demands attention. Care should be taken to
protect the body from a sense of chilliness. She should not call vitality
unnecessarily to the surface to supply the want of sufficient clothing. If the mother is deprived of an abundance of wholesome, nutritious food, she will
lack in the quantity and quality of blood. Her circulation will be poor, and her
child will lack in the very same things. There will be an inability in the
offspring to appropriate food which it can convert into good blood to nourish
the system. The prosperity of mother and child depends much upon good, warm
clothing and a supply of nourishing food.
Great care should be exercised to have the surroundings of the mother
pleasant and happy. The husband and father is under special responsibility to do
all in his power to lighten the burden of the wife and mother. He should bear,
as much as possible, the burden of her condition. He should be affable,
courteous, kind, and tender, and specially attentive to all her wants. Not half
the care is taken of some women while they are bearing children that is taken of
animals in the stable.
Appetite Alone Not a Safe Guide. --The idea that women, because of their
special condition, may let the appetite run riot is a mistake based on custom,
but not on sound sense. The appetite of women in this condition may be variable,
fitful, and difficult to gratify; and custom allows her to have anything she may
fancy, without consulting reason as to whether such food can supply nutrition
for her body and for the growth of her child. The food should be nutritious, but
should not be of an exciting quality. . . . If ever there is need of simplicity
of diet and special care as to the quality of food eaten, it is in this
important period.
Women who possess principle, and who are well instructed, will not depart
from simplicity of diet at this time of all others. They will consider that
another life is dependent upon them and will be careful in all their
habits and especially in diet. They should not eat that which is innutritious and
exciting, simply because it tastes good. There are too many counsellors ready to
persuade them to do things which reason would tell them they ought not to do.
Diseased children are born because of the gratification of appetite by the
parents. . . .
If so much food is taken into the stomach that the digestive organs are
compelled to overwork in order to dispose of it and to free the system from
irritating substances, the mother does injustice to herself and lays the
foundation of disease in her offspring. If she chooses to eat as she pleases and
what she may fancy, irrespective of consequences, she will bear the penalty, but
not alone. Her innocent child must suffer because of her indiscretion.
Self-control and Temperance Are Necessary. --The mother's physical needs
should in no case be neglected. Two lives are depending upon her, and her wishes
should be tenderly regarded, her needs generously supplied. But at this time
above all others she should avoid, in diet and in every other line, whatever
would lessen physical or mental strength. By the command of God Himself she is
placed under the most solemn obligation to exercise self-control.
The basis of a right character in the future man is made firm by habits of
strict temperance in the mother prior to the birth of her child. . . . This
lesson should not be regarded with indifference.
Encourage Cheerful, Contented Disposition. --Every woman about to become a
mother, whatever may be her surroundings, should encourage constantly a happy,
cheerful, contented disposition, knowing that for all her efforts in this
direction she will be repaid tenfold in the physical, as well as the moral, character of her offspring. Nor is this all.
She can, by habit, accustom herself to cheerful thinking, and thus encourage a
happy state of mind and cast a cheerful reflection of her own happiness of
spirit upon her family and those with whom she associates. And in a very great
degree will her physical health be improved. A force will be imparted to the
lifesprings, the blood will not move sluggishly, as would be the case if she
were to yield to despondency and gloom. Her mental and moral health are
invigorated by the buoyancy of her spirits. The power of the will can resist
impressions of the mind and will prove a grand soother of the nerves. Children
who are robbed of that vitality which they should have inherited of their
parents should have the utmost care. By close attention to the laws of their
being a much better condition of things can be established.
Maintain a Peaceful, Trustful Attitude. --She who expects to become a mother
should keep her soul in the love of God. Her mind should be at peace; she should
rest in the love of Jesus, practising the words of Christ. She should remember
that the mother is a labourer together with God.