7 Tips for Coping with Bed Rest During Pregnancy
by Beth Shea, 07/23/10
In theory, curling up in your bed to indulge in endless relaxation during an exhausting pregnancy may seem like a dream, but in reality being placed on bed rest can come as a shock, an inconvenience, and may feel like a challenging sentence rather than a much deserved break while growing your baby. "Active contractions, bleeding, ruptured membranes, and placenta previa are the most common reasons that doctors call for bed rest in as many as one in five of their patients." Once these or other symptoms come up, bed rest is prescribed to keep baby in the womb for as long as possible. Lengths of bed rest for pregnant women can vary greatly, from a couple of weeks to nearly the entire duration of pregnancy. It is important, once your doctor or midwife instructs bed rest, that you discuss clear parameters for what you can and cannot physically do. Some moms-to-be may not even get out of bed, while others are still allowed to prepare light meals and move around their house on a limited basis. Here are seven tips for coping with bed rest during pregnancy.
