Prenatal Influences
191
the preparation should begin that will enable it to fight successfully
the battle against evil
If before the birth of her child she is self-indulgent, if she is selfish,
impatient, and exacting, these traits will be reflected in the disposition
of the child. Thus many children have received as a birthright almost
unconquerable tendencies to evil.
But if the mother unswervingly adheres to right principles, if she
is temperate and self-denying, if she is kind, gentle, and unselfish, she
may give her child these same precious traits of character
Essentials of Prenatal Care—It is an error generally committed
to make no difference in the life of a woman previous to the birth of
her children. At this important 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 robbed of vitality. [
Note: see Counsels On Diet And
Foods, section, “Diet During Pregnancy,” for further instruction on
this point.
] 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,
[257]
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
Great care should be exercised to have the surroundings of the
mother pleasant and happy. The husband and father is under special
responsibility to do all in his power to lighten the burden of the wife
and mother. He should bear, as much as possible, the burden of her
condition. He should be affable, courteous, kind, and tender, and
specially attentive to all her wants. Not half the care is taken of some
3
Ibid., 371
.
4
Ibid., 372, 373
.
5
Testimonies For The Church 2, 381, 382
.