regular, and periodical pains come on, each, nshered in by shiverings. This stage of preparation occupies five-sixths of the duration of labor. The fibres of the womb contract, and its mouth dilates, at every pain.
During this stage, it is evident that there is nothing to be done but to patiently wait. The mother should make no expulsive efforts: on the contrary, she should save her strength for the second stage, when the child escapes from the womb, and is pressing hard against the soft parts.
She may walk the room or sit in a chair alternately: the first will assist in the expansion of the mouth of the womb by the pressure of the weight against it; the second will shorten her confined position in bed, which may become very tiresome if the labor is slow.
The patient should know, that, during this stage, there is no accident to apprehend: her mind should be at ease and hopeful.
During these contracting pains, she may become nause- ated, and may even vomit. This condition is considered favorable, because it relaxes the system.
She need not have any fear or anxiety if this stage is rather long; for it may depend upon the rigidity of the mouth of the uterus, which will yield in proper time. Anx- iety will only tend to diminish the force of her pains, and render labor longer and more tedious. She should dispel every imaginary dread that she will not get through; for nine hundred and ninety pregnant women in a thousand have suffered like herself, and have gone to the end with perfect safety to themselves and their offspring.
She should not resist any inclination to move her bowels, or to pass urine: on the contrary, she should encourage hoth, as the discharges will give her relief, and make the exit of thie child easier. It has even been customary to have the
