The dangers to the life of the mother and child in the carrying out of this function are well known to the medical profession, as well as the fact that for the most part they are preventable. Yet in spite of this knowledge, each year brings forth, unchanging, its toll in fatalities and countless numbers of invalid mothers, with the inevitable destroying factor of the happiness of the home. Statistics are available to show that less than half of all pregnancies are normal and that the illness and loss of human life, from causes associated with childbirth, are distressingly and needlessly high. Failure to get these facts to the public; failure to teach lay women the dangers to be avoided and the methods of protection, is one very important reason why there has been no decrease in the high mortality rates. During the past ten years, maternity hospitals and private and public health bodies, in various parts of the country, have obtained wonderful results, locally, in reducing infant and maternal mortality, by giving to large groups of prospective mothers information concerning the common dangers associated with childbirth and how they might best be prevented. If every expectant mother, no matter what her status or location, followed the simple, practical advice which this book offers, the rate of illness and death among our mothers and babies would be materially lessened. This book, therefore, so complete in its information on every subject pertaining to the mother during pregnancy and confinement and of the care of the newborn infant, should be far reaching in its beneficial results. It is a book containing knowledge which every physician must admit that expectant mothers should have, and which a large number of expectant mothers are now earnestly seeking for their own protection and that of their newborn. J. CLIFTON EDGAR, M. D. FREDERICK W. RICE, M. D. New York City November, 1922 CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE xi INTRODUCTION, BY J. CLIFTON EDGAR, M.D., AND FREDERICK W. RICE, M.D. xiii CHAPTER I GETTING READY TO BE A MOTHER 1 II SIGNS THAT A BABY IS COMING 11 III WHERE THE BABY’S LIFE BEGINS 20 IV HOW THE BABY DEVELOPS BEFORE HE IS BORN 34 V TAKING CARE OF THE BABY BEFORE HE COMES 46 VI MAKING READY FOR THE BABY 82 VII THE BABY’S ARRIVAL 98 VIII THE BABY’S MOTHER 114