SIR, —Mrs. Furlong is, of course, right—this `pompous kind of introspection'
is anything but natural. It is certainly not an attitude which the Natural Childbirth Trust wishes to promote.
Unfortunately, there are women in whom a natural tendency to introspection will become exaggerated by pregnancy and childbirth. But has Mrs. Furlong stopped to consider the great number of women who become introspective through sheer fear of childbirth, even to the near-exclusion of all pleasure in their expected babies? Too often these women do not talk of their fear to anyone.
Fear of childbirth is usually fear of .the unknown, aggravated by gossip and superstition. However, once a woman really understands the 'simple mechanics' of pregnancy and labour, she will also know how best to help her body function efficiently and with least discomfort to her baby and herself. From this knowledge can come the mental confidence and calm which, more than anything, will help her keep the baby as the rightful centre of perspective.
One of the chief reasons for the existence of this Trust is, of course. to help promote conditions in which this information is available for every woman who wants it, as an accepted part of normal ante- natal care.—Yours faithfully, PRET-Ds. SMITH
Natural Childbirth Trust, 26 Seymour Street. W I
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