If your doctor recommends that you go on bed rest, don’t hit the sack before you …
Study up.
While there isn’t a ton of research on bed rest during pregnancy, the studies that have been done suggest that bed rest doesn’t actually prevent preterm birth. Taking a look at the findings and talking to women who have been on bed rest can help you decide if it’s right for you.
Know the side effects.
Staying in bed all day may sound like a dream come true, but it can come with a number of downsides. Women on bed rest can deliver low birth-weight babies and experience bone and muscle loss, slower postpartum recovery, depression and anxiety, family and financial stress and preterm delivery.
Talk to your doctor. Why are you being put on bed rest? Will you be hospitalized or at home? Is it complete bed rest or will you be given breaks? Do the benefits outweigh the risks? Are there other options?
Get a second opinion. Ask your doctor if there’s a maternal-fetal medicine specialist (high risk pregnancy expert) you can speak with. If you can, get another physician’s opinion.
