Circumstances When; You Should Take Bed Rest During Pregnancy

Has your doctor advised you a bed rest during pregnancy?

Otherwise known as ‘activity restriction’, bed rest is prescribed for almost 20% of pregnancies each year. It is one of the many things recommended to avoid pregnancy crisis.

Doctor-recommended bed rest may range from simple resting at home to complete, supervised bed rest in a hospital depending on how the pregnancy is progressing.

Here, MomJunction tells you all about bed rest during pregnancy and why it is essential in some cases.

What Does ‘Bed Rest’ Mean?

Bed rest refers to limiting your activities to just a few basic ones, for a specific period. Sometimes all that you are allowed to do is move around the house a little to use a shower or toilet. You should avoid lifting heavy objects or doing extremely difficult or tiring household chores.

Sometimes, when complete bed rest is necessary, the doctor may advise hospitalization. Moreover, being on bed rest will improve blood flow to the placenta, saves a lot of energy and prevents pregnancy complications.

When Will A Doctor Put You On Bed Rest During Pregnancy?

Multiple pregnancy issues can lead to bed rest. Your doctor will put you on bed rest and also discuss the measures you need to take to stay healthy in the following scenarios.

1.Placenta previa: This is when the placenta is situated lower than its actual position, blocking the cervix. Bed rest, in this case, will avoid any additional pressure on the placenta and cervix.

2.Preeclampsia: This condition usually develops after the 20th week of pregnancy, due to elevated blood pressure, protein in the urine, and edema. Severe cases could put both you and your baby at risk and may warrant complete bed rest in the hospital for constant monitoring.

3.Cervical insufficiency: Prior cervical damages, cervical lacerations or congenital abnormalities in the uterus may cause the fetus to slip off the womb. In such a condition, bed rest is highly recommended to avoid any pressure on the cervix.