Most people are very healthy during pregnancy and have no problems, but a certain number need to be on some form of bed rest for a variety of medical reasons. And the bed rest can vary in how strict it is. Show Most doctors and midwives say that the added rest and relaxation are alone beneficial. But there are also physical benefits of bed rest for some moms, including lowered blood pressure, less pressure on the cervix, and better blood flow to the baby. While normal activity and exercise are usually fine in pregnancy, there are some situations when doctors may recommend bed rest to try to reduce the risk of preterm birth. The benefit of bed rest is variable. This intervention may help some pregnant people but not others, and may work better for some complications more than others. The cervix opens too early and may allow premature birth. Sometimes this is treated with surgery to close the cervix until the pregnancy reaches a safe age for birth to occur. This may or may not be combined with bed rest. When blood pressure goes too high, it can cause problems for the pregnant person and the baby. Rest can help reduce these readings in blood pressure. If the pregnancy is in question or if there is bleeding, bed rest may be ordered. Sometimes the stress of life in combination with the physical stress of pregnancy can cause preterm contractions. Although often there is no known cause of preterm labor, these contractions create a situation where the pregnancy is threatening to end early. Bed rest is one of the interventions used to help prevent preterm birth. Bed rest is not a one-size-fits-all solution. In fact, there is evidence that bed rest may actually not help and in fact may lead to complications for some people. This means that bed rest should be used sparingly and with caution for most pregnancies. And it may take one of a several forms. This type will take whatever form your practitioner advises. It may mean being allowed to work at a desk at the office but being in bed while at home. Or it may mean strict rest hours a couple of times a day. This one does not have a specific meaning, so be sure to ask your doctor or midwife what exactly modified bed rest means if it is recommended for you. This form of bed rest usually means you should be in bed or on the couch and can only get up to use the bathroom. There may be requirements made on how many times a day you can change locations. You may also have restrictions on climbing stairs and showering/bathing. Be sure to ask. This form is the strictest and may include hospitalization. You will use a bedpan and not be allowed up during the day. Sometimes it also involves special positioning like your head lower than your body (Trendelenburg) to alleviate pressure on the cervix. While bed rest seems to have advantages there are also no studies that prove its effectiveness for every pregnancy complication. The careful use of this sometimes physically debilitating and mentally/emotionally draining experience is highly recommended. Nearly every form of bed rest includes pelvic rest.
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American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2012). Management of preterm labor. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 127. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 119(6): 1308–1317.
Health Information Library Bed rest — increasingly known as activity restriction — can mean different things to different doctors, from just getting off your feet every couple hours to a hospital stay. It’s estimated that activity restriction is still being prescribed in about 20 percent of pregnancies in the U.S. each year. But whether you’ll be asked to actually “put your feet up” really boils down to your practitioner’s preference. A growing number of physicians are moving away from the concept of strict bed rest, instead using it only as a last resort. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) do not recommend traditional bed rest, stating that there is no evidence that it actually helps prevent or treat pregnancy complications. But that doesn’t mean that your practitioner won’t ask you to refrain from some of your usual activities to protect both you and your baby. Here’s what you can expect from activity restriction, including how to stay mentally and physically healthy when you’re spending less time on your feet. What are the different types of pregnancy bed rest?In the past, bed rest was categorized as one of the following: scheduled resting, modified bed rest, strict bed rest and hospital bed rest. But doctors today are moving away from these distinctions, instead recommending one of the following two categories depending on the severity of the pregnancy complication:
Why your doctor might prescribe activity restriction during pregnancyCertain pregnant people are more likely to wind up on activity restriction, including those with certain chronic conditions. There are also certain pregnancy conditions that may prompt your doctor to reduce your activity:
Doctors who prescribe activity restriction say it can reduce some pressure on your cervix and strain on your heart while increasing circulation to your uterus. If your doctor prescribes some level of activity restriction and you’re not sure why, ask. She should be able to explain to you what the benefits are along with whether or not they outweigh the risks. Being off your feet for a long period of time comes with its share of drawbacks — which is why many doctors are more likely to be cautious of doling out bed rest. Prolonged inactivity can lead to hip and back pain, muscle atrophy (which can make it harder to bounce back once you deliver), skin irritation, bone loss and even blood clots in the legs. Bed rest may also aggravate many of the normal symptoms of pregnancy, such as heartburn, constipation and leg swelling, as well as increase your risk for gestational diabetes, since your body isn’t breaking down glucose at its usual rate. In addition, research has established a link between decreased appetite (which can happen with activity restriction), maternal weight loss and low birth-weight infants. In other words, if you don’t have an appetite and therefore aren’t getting enough to eat, there’s a good chance your baby isn’t either. Medical experts have also warned that prolonged inactivity can lead to depression — and that the depression sometimes hangs around after the baby arrives. Be aware of the signs: unshakable feelings of sadness, loss of appetite and major mood swings. Any pregnant woman may experience each of these symptoms at various times, but speak to your practitioner if these symptoms feel hard to manage. How can you stay healthy during pregnancy activity restriction?Bed rest, unfortunately, is no pajama party. Once reality sets in and you realize that you can’t do some of the things you’re used to doing, any appeal is lost pretty quickly. After you find out from your doctor exactly which activities are allowed (and which aren’t), use these tips to minimize some of the side effects. PhysicallyGiven the reservations many doctors have about prolonged bed rest now, it’s unlikely that you’ll find yourself completely bedridden — and you may be surprised at the things you can still do when you’re being asked to do less. A few suggestions:
MentallyLiving with limitations can drive you a bit nuts, especially if you’re normally a very active person. Sometimes keeping yourself busy can provide a welcome distraction. A few suggestions:
Remember that you’re simply starting the parenting process a little earlier than most, doing what’s best for your child — even if it’s not terribly fun for you. Every day you take it easy is one potentially more day your baby (or babies) grows inside you, giving him or her (or them) the best chance at being born healthy and strong. How does pregnancy bed rest affect your family?Depending on how much your activity is restricted, you may need to make some changes around your home:
How does pregnancy bed rest affect you after you give birth?Keep your expectations realistic after delivery. Cut yourself some postpartum slack, factoring in all your body has been through. Depending on the level of activity restriction, you may not have the same aerobic capacity or muscular strength that you had before. So give yourself a chance to recover, and plan on building back up to your former fitness level slowly. Walking, yoga and swimming are good activities to do to get back into the game. With consistent effort on your part and help from your practitioner, family and friends, don’t worry. You’ll get there!
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