Reasons for Bed Rest During Pregnancy
If you're like most pregnant women, hearing the words "bed rest" sounds like a death knell. However, rest assured that your obstetrician or midwife prescribes bed rest to increase the chances that your pregnancy will continue in a healthy fashion. An awareness of the reasons that may lead your health care provider to suggest bed rest helps you develop a more balanced perspective on this common pregnancy practice.
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Preeclampsia
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A condition marked by high blood pressure during pregnancy, preeclampsia can keep your unborn baby from getting sufficient blood, which lowers his food and oxygen intake. Bed rest allows you to keep weight off your major blood vessels.
Cervical Conditions
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Your doctor may suggest bed rest if you experience excessive cervical changes during your pregnancy, such as an incompetent cervix, a condition in which the pressure of your baby's body causes your cervix to open long before your little one is able to survive outside of the womb.
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Premature Labor
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A common reason for bed rest, premature labor, which, according to the American Pregnancy Association, takes place in 12 percent of pregnancies, occurs when you go into labor before your 37th week of pregnancy. Once labor is stopped, bed rest decreases your chances of going into premature labor again.
History of Complications
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If you have a history of serious pregnancy complications, including miscarriages, stillbirths and premature births, your doctor may prescribe bed rest for your safety as well as that of your baby.
Placental Complications
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Complications involving your placenta are a serious matter, because the placenta is an important part of your unborn baby's life support. Such complications usually involve bed rest to minimize risks to your baby. Placental conditions that typically require bed rest include placental abruption (separation of the placenta from the lining of your uterus), placenta previa (placenta covers your cervix) and placenta accreta (excessive attachment of the placenta to the lining of your uterus).
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