The right and natural birth is when the child comes with its head first;
and yet this is too short a definition of a natural birth; for if any
part of the head but the crown comes first, so that the body follows not
in a straight line, it is a wrong and difficult birth, even though the
head comes first. Therefore, if the child comes with its feet first, or
with the side across, it is quite contrary to nature, or to speak more
plainly, that which I call unnatural.
Now, there are four general ways a child may come wrong. (1) When any of
the foreparts of the body first present themselves. (2) When by an
unhappy transposition, any of the hinder parts of the body first present
themselves. (3) When either of the sides, or, (4) the feet present
themselves first. To these, the different wrong postures that a child
can present itself in, may be reduced.
SECTION I.--_How to deliver a Woman of a Dead Child by Manual
Operation._
When manual operation is necessary, let the operator acquaint the woman
of the absolute necessity there is for such an operation; and that, as
the child has already lost its life, there is no other way left for the
saving hers. Let him also inform her, for her encouragement, that he
doubts not, with the divine blessing, to deliver her safely, and that
the pains arising therefrom will not be so great as she fears.
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