For instance, do not believe for a moment that anything you do, think or see can “mark” or deform your baby, for remember that after conception you give him nothing but nourishment. The only communication between you and the baby is through your and his blood, and blood does not carry mental impressions. Accordingly, no effects of fear, horror or unpleasant memories which you may have can possibly reach him. It is true that once in a while a woman does see something shocking and later gives birth to a marked or deformed baby. But there is little doubt, now, that such an occurrence is merely a coincidence. If you will stop and think for a moment you will realize that most expectant mothers see or hear or think something unpleasant at some time during pregnancy, and yet most babies are born without mark or blemish. Anger, fright or sudden shock may upset your digestion, but it does not directly affect your baby. As for that common belief that in “reaching up” the mother may slip the cord around the baby’s neck—if you will picture for a moment how the baby lies within the uterus you will realize how impossible this is, for the mother’s arms have no connection with him or the cord. So dismiss these doubts and fears from your mind and dwell instead upon the loveliness of what is in store for you, for, I repeat, your physical condition will be benefited if you go through pregnancy happily. And remember again that whatever is good for you is good for your baby. So your first step toward caring for the little life already within your charge is to follow the example of Mrs. Wiggs, who constantly wiped the dust from her rose-colored spectacles. Now for the more specific details of your care. Of these the question of your =diet= is of enormous importance. Let us consider first what your food accomplishes if it is suitable and conditions are favorable for its use by you and the baby. It should provide nourishment for your various tissues, as under ordinary conditions; it should promote the activities of your skin and kidneys, as well as bowels, since it is through them that the waste from your own and your baby’s body must be excreted, and your food should be adequate also, to build and nourish the baby’s body without his having to draw materials from your tissues. Strange as it may seem, the baby’s physical needs are supplied before yours are met, and if there are not enough food materials for you both, your bones, teeth and muscles will be deprived. Furthermore, taking proper food during pregnancy is an important step toward preparing yourself to nurse your baby, after he is born, which is quite as urgent as nourishing him before birth.