Bed rest. On the face of it, it sounds so relaxing, almost like a vacation. Lie in bed or on the couch ... read or watch television ... take a little break from "real" life. But these are two words that no pregnant woman wants to hear -- whether the doctor's order comes at 16, 26, or 36 weeks of pregnancy.

The need for bed rest is surprisingly common during pregnancy. Roughly one in five women spends part of her term in bed as a treatment for a host of pregnancy-related issues. Women who are in danger of delivering too early may be confined to bed. Those who have certain medical conditions, like preeclampsia, a short or weak cervix, premature rupture of membranes, or chronic heart disease, are often required to stay in bed (or on a sofa) for days, weeks, or even months, during pregnancy. (Bed rest has been commonly used to treat women in danger of miscarriage, but a recent review of studies on the issue found there was not enough evidence to determine whether bed rest was effective in preventing it.) In some cases, women are admitted to a hospital and stay in a bed where they can be monitored 24 hours a day.

Lying down, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, lowers stress on mom's heart, kidneys, and other organs and reduces the pressure of the baby on the cervix, which in turn decreases the risk of premature contractions. (Interestingly, though, most studies show that bed rest does not decrease the incidence of preterm delivery, although it may help in the case of triplets.) Rest also increases blood flow to the placenta, so baby gets more nutrients and oxygen.

Some women are advised to lie down for a few hours each day; others must stay in bed and aren't even allowed to get up to shower. If your doctor has ordered bed rest for you, make sure you understand why and know how much activity you're allowed. Here are some questions to ask:

•Do I need to stay in bed all day? Know your specific parameters. Ask your physician exactly what she means by bed rest. Do you need to lie in a certain position, i.e., on one side or the other, propped up, or with your feet up?

•Are there any activities I can safely do on my feet? Again, you must ask your physician for specifics. You may be able to get up to shower and use the bathroom, or your physician may prefer that you have sponge baths and use a bedpan. You may be able to stand long enough to cook one meal a day, but you might have to rely on friends, family, and local takeout for meals. If you have older children, you may need to make arrangements for their care. If you work, perhaps you will be permitted to do some work from home, but your physician may prefer that you just rest quietly.

•Can I exercise? Ask your physician if you can safely do any exercises to keep your blood flowing and your muscles loose. He might say that Kegel exercise (muscle exercises that tighten the pelvic area), deep breathing exercises, pelvic tilts, neck circles, and even leg lifts are safe to do from your bed or couch. If you can't do these kinds of exercise, ask your doctor what you can do to keep your blood circulating and avoid bedsores, backaches, and blood clots from lying in one spot all the time.

No matter how long you have to stay in bed, these tips will help you get through this time as easily as possible.

•Accept all offers of help. This is no time to prove how strong you are. When neighbors, friends, family, or your spouse offer to cook, clean, and care for you, don't feel guilty about saying yes.

•Eat a sensible and healthy diet. Unless your physician has given you specific instructions to increase your calories, don't think of bed rest as a free pass to gluttony! Continue to eat nutritiously and drink plenty of water. Extra pounds can be bad for your health and that of your baby and make it harder for you to get back in shape after the birth. Keep a basket of nutritious snacks next to your bed or couch -- things like whole-grain crackers, fruit, and cereal bars are ideal.

•Make your surroundings more comfortable. Ask a close friend or a partner to set up a room where you will be comfortable for the duration of your bed rest. You want to keep things like a television remote control, telephone, books, magazines, paper, and pen, and maybe even a laptop computer within easy reach. Ideally, you should be resting on the same level of the house as your bathroom to avoid having to use the stairs.

•Pamper yourself. Fill a basket with your favorite hand cream, nail polish, a hairbrush, makeup, etc., so you can indulge in some pampering when you're bored. Maybe your partner or a friend can give you a a foot massage -- or you could hire someone to come to the house and give you a facial or pedicure as a special treat when your spirits need a lift.

•Line up some interesting things to occupy your time. Ask your partner to buy you some favorite magazines or a couple of paperback books. Consider signing up for a movie delivery service such as Netflix, or ordering a movie channel for your television. You may even be motivated to organize photo albums or other paperwork, which you should be able to do while lying down. If you knit or do needlework, this is a great time to catch up on those projects you've been putting off. Or, if you don't do crafts, maybe this is the time to learn something new.

•Create a schedule. Even though you won't be leaving the house, it may help you get through each day if you have a schedule, just as you do when you're not homebound.

•Daydream about your baby. No matter how difficult bed rest is, remember that you're doing the best thing for your growing baby. Keep a journal about your pregnancy or write notes that you can put in your baby's scrapbook.

•Find support. For more information about making the most of bed rest, visit www.sidelines.org, a support group for women facing bed rest. Talking with other women who have gone through the same experience can be comforting -- and they may have some suggestions for passing the time that you haven't thought of.

Finally, don't forget why you're confined to bed in the first place. Relax as much as possible and try not to get stressed about all the things you can't do. Remember that by staying in bed, you're doing something important -- taking the best possible care of yourself and your baby.

-- Dana Sullivan is a writer in Reno, Nevada. Her work has appeared in several national magazines, including Parenting, Parents, Fit Pregnancy, Real Simple and Self. She is co-author of "The Essential C-Section Guide" (Broadway Books/Random House, 2004).

References

First published December 16, 2004
Last updated March 27, 2008
Copyright © 2004 Consumer Health Interactive

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