Here’s what to do when you are advised bed rest during pregnancy

Confused about what your doctor means by 'bed rest'? Find your answer here.

By: Anuradha Varanasi | | Updated: March 9, 2016 10:03 am

Bed rest is a term people usually use very loosely when it comes to advising pregnant women, making patients and relatives alike left wondering if that could mean being left bedridden or if the expecting mother can still go about with her routine life, albeit more cautiously. We spoke to Dr Duru Shah, Scientific Director of Gynaecworld, who sheds light on why some pregnant women are advised bed rest and what are the dos and don ts that need to be followed and the facts that need to be kept in mind for a mom-to-be. Also Read - Stress in expecting mothers impact baby: Herbs to relieve stress during pregnancy

Also Read - Avoid sexual dysfunction: Having multiple partners may actually be good for you

Why do doctors advise bed rest and how does it help? Also Read - Estrogen can protect you from the flu: Boost levels of this hormone naturally

Firstly, not all pregnant women require bed rest. In fact, most of them can go about with their regular routine. Pregnancy is a physiological phenomena and under normal circumstances, a pregnant woman can be active till she goes into labour. It is only in cases with complications like inadequate growth of the fetus, if the patient complains of vaginal bleeding, is suffering from high blood pressure or is at a risk of going into preterm labour, or any such complications, that is when bed rest is absolutely required.

Also, in some cases working women don t eat right or get sufficient amount of rest. If she is unable to meet the nutrition needs of the unborn baby due to that, then a high protein diet along with bed rest is recommended. Bed rest helps in facilitating blood flow to the placenta, which helps in the growth of the baby. Around one in five pregnant women are recommended bed rest by their doctors.

What activities are and aren’t allowed?

In cases where the growth of the fetus is not adequate, it is recommended that one should lie down and read or watch TV. This is because the patient can t sit at 90 degrees due to her condition. Instead, while lying down she can use pillows or any other form of support to prop her head by 20-30 degrees. In cases with a risk of preterm labour, or is severely hypertensive or has vaginal bleeding, very little activity is allowed. The patient can walk around the house and go to the bathroom on her own, but doing household chores or lifting heavy objects is not recommended. In cases where the expecting mother can t even walk much or go to the bathroom on her own due to severe complications, she will have to be admitted to the hospital. Here’s what to do when your water breaks before it is time )

Sexual activity is definitely not recommended for pregnant women on bed rest. Is it safe to perform oral sex on my pregnant wife? Travelling on motorbikes or bumpy roads is also a strict no, even for pregnant women who don t require bed rest for that matter. They should do exercises like deep breathing, moving the legs up and down while lying on the bed, neck exercises and moving the toes and flexing their feet.

What are the consequences of not getting adequate amount of bed rest?

It varies from patient to patient depending on the reason why bed rest was advised in the first place. In some cases, there is also a possibility that nothing might happen. If the weight of the baby is an issue then without adequate bed rest, the baby might not grow as per normal weight standards. If the patient was diagnosed with a low-lying placenta ,then she might start experiencing vaginal bleeding. However, the most common result is a premature delivery because when an expecting mother is constantly in a vertical position, it puts a lot of weight and pressure on the mouth of the uterus. Basically, bed rest is meant for taking any such pressure off the mouth of the uterus, which is why in the later months of pregnancy, women expecting twins also require bed rest. To know more about what common mistakes to avoid and how to take better care of yourself during pregnancy, read 8 common mistakes every pregnant woman makes!

Are pregnant women on bed rest more prone to depression/anxiety?

It really varies from patient to patient. In fact, women living in nuclear families are happy to be in bed just resting because there is no pressure from the family to do day-to-day chores and they can get up only when required. However, this mainly depends on the relationships that the expecting mother has with her family. Company and family support definitely helps in alleviating depression and anxiety.

Tips for a healthy bed rest

Be more productive and keep your mind occupied by taking up new hobbies or even reading books. Other activities that can be taken up are playing Sudoku, writing, doing short-term online courses, learning a new language, completing puzzles, etc. It is important to remember that you are doing this for your child, instead of getting depressed or frustrated over not being able to work or be physically active. For having a relaxing and stress-free bed rest during your pregnancy, read Must-have pregnancy playlist soothing songs and music for peaceful sleep

Photo source: Shutterstock

Published : November 20, 2015 5:40 pm | Updated:March 9, 2016 10:03 am

Read Disclaimer