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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
period the labor 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
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robbed of vitality. 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. The extra
draft upon the vitality of the mother must be considered and provided
for.
But, on the other hand, 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. Custom says that if she wants flesh meats,
pickles, spiced food, or mince pies, let her have them; appetite alone
is to be consulted. This is a great mistake, and does much harm. The
harm cannot be estimated. 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
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good. There are too many counselors ready to persuade them to do
things which reason would tell them they ought not to do.