CHAPTER XVI.

WHEN THE BABY IS BORN.

Birth at tenth menstrual period.--Labor-pains and after-pains.--Intelligent preparation removes anxiety and danger.--What the husband needs to know if no physician is present.--Severing of placentic cord.--The physician's instructions to be obeyed.--Should the husband remain with his wife?--The afterbirth.--The first need of the child.--The care of the mother.--Protection from visitors.--The selection of a nurse.--From six weeks to three months to secure normal condition of reproductive organs.--Marital relation after confinement and miscarriage.--Instances of cruel exactions.--Nature of first nourishment of child.--Dangers of wet-nurses and vicious nurse-girls.--The pleasures of fatherhood.--The father's duty to his children, 251