In What Situations Can a Doctor Recommend You to Take Bed Rest During Pregnancy?

Most pregnant women are healthy during their pregnancy but each year a certain number of pregnant women are put on bed rest by doctors. During this time pregnant ladies are told not to do their household chores, office work, or lift any heavy object. Except for the trips to the washroom, they are advised to stay at home in bed or can relax on a chair for most of the day.

In this article, we will discuss the reasons for recommending bed rest during pregnancy, its side effects or complications and tips to stay healthy while on bed rest.

Why are some women recommended bed rest during pregnancy?

Pregnant women are recommended bed rest when they experience any of the below-mentioned situations or are at a risk of experiencing these complications:

1. Vaginal bleeding because of placenta previa/abruption

If you are suffering from placenta previa then the doctor will make sure you are taking enough bed rest to avoid any excess pressure on the cervix/placenta to avoid bleeding.

2. Incompetent cervix / Cervical insufficiency

Sometimes cervical muscles are not that strong and it hinders the growth of the fetus so to avoid any risk of a third-trimester miscarriage the doctor will advise strict bed rest to avoid any pressure on the cervix.

3. High blood pressure/ Preeclampsia

If symptoms like increased blood pressure, swelling on the face and feet, and urine protein persists then the doctor will strongly recommend you take bed rest in the hospital. Extreme cases of preeclampsia can be fatal and life-threatening for you and the unborn child.

4. Threatened miscarriage

If you have suffered a miscarriage in your previous pregnancy or are showing signs of a miscarriage, the doctor may advise you to bed rest to prevent pregnancy loss.

5. Premature labour

To prevent miscarriage or preterm labour the doctor will advise you whether to do partial or complete bed rest.

6. Multiple pregnancies

If you are expecting twins or more, the risk of pregnancy complications like preterm labour is high and your doctor may recommend you to bed rest to minimise such risks.

7. Oligohydramnios (low volume of amniotic fluid)

Bed rest can help increase blood flow to the placenta, which in turn, can improve your amniotic fluid levels.

8. Overly active lifestyle

If you lead a hyperactive lifestyle which involves strenuous activities, the doctor may recommend you to rest as much as possible to avoid any ill consequences.

Many doctors will recommend that you must restrict your physical activities by putting you on complete bed rest either at home or the hospital. If they observe any severe complications then they would advise you to take bed rest at the hospital. As advised by the doctor if a patient is on bed rest during pregnancy then all the physical activities that exert the body like- standing for too long, walking, or doing cardio should be avoided.

Are there any side effects of bed rest during pregnancy?

Lying down for days and weeks can bring certain complications like:

• Blood clots especially deep vein thrombosis that occurs in the legs due to lack of movement.

• Anxiety and depression occur because staying in bed all day and night long can be quite irritating.

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• Financial worries because you are not working and unable to get extended pregnancy leave from the office.

• Family stress because you are dependent on others always and you always need someone to be close to you.

• Weakened muscles and body because you are unable to practice exercises.

How to stay healthy while on bed rest during pregnancy?

It’s quite tough to stay in bed for too long except for bathroom visits and going for regular medical checkups. Undoubtedly, it’s boring and can affect your mental as well as physical health. Here are some things that you can do while staying in bed to stay healthy:

• Try to stretch your arms, legs, back, and neck.

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• Maintain a healthy and strict diet plan. Eat nutritious food like cereals, nuts, seeds, fresh fruits, and seasonal vegetables.

• Keep changing positions while lying down on the bed to avoid numbness.

• Entertain yourself with books, surfing the internet on smartphones or tablets, reading e-books, watching tv, or chatting with a friend on the phone.

• Don’t stress about the situation and you can call your friends/cousins at your place for that gossip session.

• Have a positive attitude towards family members and other people around the house that help you with daily chores.

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• Do some online research about your pregnancy by downloading an app on your smartphone.

Being recommended bed rest during pregnancy can be alarming and worrying. But remember, it's for your own safety and your baby's safety.