she must consult her doctor at once: when she feels a sharp headache, or a pain in the lower abdomen, or in the back or the stomach, or if the vomiting grows severe upon her.
Q — And now, what is the Doctor's opinion of the notion of the "craving" — that is, the belief of our grandmothers that if an expectant mother craves something, cherries or mulberries for instance, and
scratches some spot on her body, the image of the thing she craved will be drawn, on the fetus's body, at the spot she scratched?
A — What I know is that the notion of the "craving" current among our grandmothers rests on no scientific foundation.
Q — I have often wondered to myself what kinds of bodily exercise I may practice, and in which months it is allowed.
A — That is a personal question, and every expectant mother has her own particular instructions. I do not forbid an expectant mother accustomed to dancing, tennis, and swimming from practicing these sports in moderation, up to the sixth month; after the sixth month, however, I prefer that the expectant
mother take plenty of moderate walking, as I have already said.
Q — And finally, what is your opinion of wearing the girdle, or corset — do you advise the expectant mother to avoid it?
A — No, not at all. There is no objection to wearing the corset for those accustomed to wearing it — again, up to the sixth month, for wearing it in this case prevents pain in the lower back. In the final months, however, the corset must be suited to the shape of the abdomen, so that it does not press upon the fetus.
Q — I am most grateful, Dr. Abouchdid, for your counsels, which have opened before me horizons of knowledge beyond all price!