Obstetrical Nursing: A Text-Book on the Nursing Care of the Expectant Mother, the Woman in Labor, the Young Mother and Her BabyVan Blarcom, Carolyn Conant
Science
Obstetrical Nursing: A Text-Book on the Nursing Care of the Expectant Mother, the Woman in Labor, the Young Mother and Her Baby
Van Blarcom, Carolyn Conant
Infants -- Care; Maternity nursing; Pregnancy
Women who have been wearing comfortable, well-fitting corsets probably
will not feel the need of making a change until the third or fourth
month. By this time the uterus has pushed up out of the pelvis into the
abdomen and accordingly the corsets must be so constructed that they
will accommodate themselves to an abdomen that is steadily increasing in
size and also changing in shape; will provide support for both abdomen
and breasts and still not compress nor disguise the figure. To be
entirely satisfactory in their adjustability, the maternity corsets must
be made of very soft material and have elastic inserts and side, as well
as front or back lacings. They should extend well down in front and fit
snugly over the hips. The upper part may be fitted with adjustable
shoulder-straps that will support the breasts and help to suspend some
of the abdominal weight from the shoulders; but at the same time will
not interfere with the development of the breasts nor compress the
nipples. Many women find great comfort in wearing a short-waisted
maternity corset and a brassiere.
The front-lace corset is usually found to be the most satisfactory, for
the patient may lace it from below upward while lying on her back. This
enables her to draw it in snugly about the hips, below the abdomen, and
adjust the garment to the abdominal curve so as to really support,
without compressing the uterus. Other excellent corsets lace both front
and back and are capable of very comfortable adjustments. If the nurse
clearly understands the purpose of a maternity corset, she will be able
to explain to her patient why the same style as she ordinarily wears, no
matter how large, will not be satisfactory during pregnancy, and may be
even harmful.
Even a properly fitting maternity corset may become uncomfortable during
the last few weeks of pregnancy, and have to be replaced by an abdominal
supporter of linen or rubber. And when this stage is reached, even the
woman who has worn no corsets may be made more comfortable by adopting
such a support, particularly at night. There are many admirable binders
on the market, or the nurse and patient may fashion some such an one as
is shown in Figs. 34, 35, 36 and 37. Comfortable and inexpensive
stocking supporters, which meet all practical requirements, may be made
by the patient from tapes or strips of muslin. (Figs. 38 and 39.)
[Illustration:
FIGS. 34, 35, AND 36.—Front, side and back views of home-made binder
for supporting heavy, pendulous abdomen during later weeks of
pregnancy. It is adjusted as the patient lies down, the ends being
crossed in the back and pinned to the lower margin of the front,
thus giving additional support.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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