Bed Rest During Pregnancy: Does It Really Help?

Bed rest has been prescribed for various pregnancy complications for decades. For example, it's often been prescribed if you're carrying twins (or more), have a weak cervix, or otherwise have a higher risk of preterm labor. Although taking to bed may sound good to an exhausted mom-to-be at first, most women find that being confined to bed, even for just a few days, is uncomfortable, boring, and inconvenient. It can especially be torturous when days become weeks.

In this article, we will understand under which circumstances can a doctor recommend bed rest during pregnancy, its benefits and side effects and what should you do.

When can a doctor recommend bed rest during pregnancy?

A doctor may recommend bedrest during pregnancy to maintain the health and well-being of the expecting mother and her unborn baby. It is usually prescribed for high-risk conditions such as multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets), weak cervix or under risk of premature birth.

Your doctor may also recommend bed rest if they suspect that your baby isn't growing properly in the womb (intrauterine growth restriction) or if you have placenta previa (a placenta that lies unusually low in the uterus, covering the cervix).

Finally, you may be put on bed rest at home if you have mild gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, in the hope that it keeps your blood pressure in check.

Does bed rest during pregnancy help?

Some say that until there's good evidence to the contrary, bedrest is worth a try. Others argue that bedrest itself can have a variety of negative effects and that women should not be subjected to it until we know that it does more good than harm.

Some doctors tend to believe that the use of complete bed rest should be curtailed and that some women would be better off just restricting their activity level, cutting back on work, avoiding heavy lifting and prolonged standing, and resting for a few hours each day.

You may like: Is It Normal To Sleep A Lot During Pregnancy?

Can bed rest during pregnancy be harmful?

Bed rest during pregnancy can actually be hard on your health. Being on complete bed rest for an extended period increases your risk of blood clots. (In some circumstances, a doctor may prescribe the blood thinner heparin to help prevent clots.) You may also suffer from insomnia, changes in your metabolism, bone loss, and aches and pains.

When your bed rest order is eventually lifted, it can take weeks to get your strength back, which makes it harder to care for a newborn. In addition, bed rest can be a logistical nightmare and a financial hardship for you and your family. You may have to stop working sooner than you expected or find someone to look after your children. If you're on complete bedrest, you'll need to rely on others for everything, including bringing you food and anything else you need.

Finally, being confined to your bed can be very stressful. The boredom and isolation you're likely to feel can take a toll on your mental health.

What to do if the doctor advises you bed rest during pregnancy?

In case your doctor puts you on bed rest during pregnancy, you should discuss with him/her the level of activity you’re allowed. Do you need to be in bed all day or are allowed to roam around a bit? Are you allowed to climb stairs? Are you allowed to do some simple household chores?

Being on bed rest during pregnancy definitely means that you can’t travel and go to work so, talk to your employer and work out a plan. If you are allowed by your doctor and your employer, you can work from home during this time so that neither is there a loss of work nor any boredom for you.