So, you're pregnant and have just been sentenced to bed rest by your doctor! Oh, no! It's not a good feeling and when you're awaiting the birth of your child, all you want to be having are good feelings.
Despite this very worrisome turn of events, you can rest assured that this kind of thing is very common, thousands of women make it through every single day and give birth to happy, healthy babies; you will be no different!
Now, I'm sure you must be wondering, "Why did this happen to ME?", and I've compiled a few of the likely answers for you right here, along with some further information about bed rest.
Likely Causes for Bed Rest When Pregnant
· High Blood Pressure
Proper monitoring of blood pressure is crucial during pregnancy. If your blood pressure gets too high (from stress, too much activity, natural inclination, etc.), it can cause more serious complications for you and the baby. Bed rest provides adequate relaxation and rest to nullify a blood pressure problem.
· Premature Labor
There are any number of reasons why Premature Labor might become a concern for you and your doctor. Most of the time, it has to do with an excess of stress on the body. Being pregnant, alone, is a huge stress on your body and if you have a stressful lifestyle, it can become too much. Being put on bed rest ensures that your lifestyle won't cause any undue stress and that you won't give birth before that baby is good and ready!
· Incompetent Cervix
Sometimes, your cervix just will not cooperate with you and wants to open too early, causing premature labor. Keeping the body in a still and restful state, can keep that cervix in line! Occasionally, it becomes necessary to close the cervix via surgery until your pregnancy comes full term.
· Possibility of Miscarriage
If you've been experiencing any bleeding during your pregnancy, the doctor will absolutely put you on bed rest in order to prevent a possible miscarriage, especially if you have a history of miscarriage. Any stress, or excess strain from movement, can cause a miscarriage, especially if you're in a delicate situation to begin with.
Types Of Bed Rest
There are three forms of bed rest that your doctor might require that you undertake. Some are more sedentary than others, but it's important to know which you need to abide by up until the birth of your child.
· Modified Bed Rest
This level will be customized by your doctor and will reflect his/her medical opinion for how much activity your body can safely take part in while you're pregnant. You might need to adhere to some strict rest hours throughout the day, but still be able to work at a lap desk, in bed.
· Strict Bed Rest
For this level, you must stay in bed little lady! In bed, or on the couch, with little to no locational changes other than to use the bathroom. For more serious cases, you may be restricted from changing locations at all, or only very occasionally.
· Complete Bed Rest, or Hospitalization
By far the strictest, this form of bed rest will not allow you to move from the bed whatsoever. Bathroom trips will not be permitted and a bedpan must be used. Under the harshest of circumstances, you may even be hospitalized up until you give birth and you may even have to remain in certain positions for long periods at a time.
When you're diagnosed with pregnancy complications that require bed rest, be sure to keep an open mind about it. I highly recommend that you do your research, ask your doctor plenty of questions regarding what you can and can't do, and then start getting innovative about how you can make the best of it until you give birth.
After all, you're pregnant, not a prisoner! You've got the freedom to get creative and make the most of it. Hang in there!
Despite this very worrisome turn of events, you can rest assured that this kind of thing is very common, thousands of women make it through every single day and give birth to happy, healthy babies; you will be no different!
Now, I'm sure you must be wondering, "Why did this happen to ME?", and I've compiled a few of the likely answers for you right here, along with some further information about bed rest.
Likely Causes for Bed Rest When Pregnant
· High Blood Pressure
Proper monitoring of blood pressure is crucial during pregnancy. If your blood pressure gets too high (from stress, too much activity, natural inclination, etc.), it can cause more serious complications for you and the baby. Bed rest provides adequate relaxation and rest to nullify a blood pressure problem.
· Premature Labor
There are any number of reasons why Premature Labor might become a concern for you and your doctor. Most of the time, it has to do with an excess of stress on the body. Being pregnant, alone, is a huge stress on your body and if you have a stressful lifestyle, it can become too much. Being put on bed rest ensures that your lifestyle won't cause any undue stress and that you won't give birth before that baby is good and ready!
· Incompetent Cervix
Sometimes, your cervix just will not cooperate with you and wants to open too early, causing premature labor. Keeping the body in a still and restful state, can keep that cervix in line! Occasionally, it becomes necessary to close the cervix via surgery until your pregnancy comes full term.
· Possibility of Miscarriage
If you've been experiencing any bleeding during your pregnancy, the doctor will absolutely put you on bed rest in order to prevent a possible miscarriage, especially if you have a history of miscarriage. Any stress, or excess strain from movement, can cause a miscarriage, especially if you're in a delicate situation to begin with.
Types Of Bed Rest
There are three forms of bed rest that your doctor might require that you undertake. Some are more sedentary than others, but it's important to know which you need to abide by up until the birth of your child.
· Modified Bed Rest
This level will be customized by your doctor and will reflect his/her medical opinion for how much activity your body can safely take part in while you're pregnant. You might need to adhere to some strict rest hours throughout the day, but still be able to work at a lap desk, in bed.
· Strict Bed Rest
For this level, you must stay in bed little lady! In bed, or on the couch, with little to no locational changes other than to use the bathroom. For more serious cases, you may be restricted from changing locations at all, or only very occasionally.
· Complete Bed Rest, or Hospitalization
By far the strictest, this form of bed rest will not allow you to move from the bed whatsoever. Bathroom trips will not be permitted and a bedpan must be used. Under the harshest of circumstances, you may even be hospitalized up until you give birth and you may even have to remain in certain positions for long periods at a time.
When you're diagnosed with pregnancy complications that require bed rest, be sure to keep an open mind about it. I highly recommend that you do your research, ask your doctor plenty of questions regarding what you can and can't do, and then start getting innovative about how you can make the best of it until you give birth.
After all, you're pregnant, not a prisoner! You've got the freedom to get creative and make the most of it. Hang in there!
For further information on how you can increase your chances of
having a complication-free labor and birth, please consider obtaining
your free copy of the "Healthy Birth Booklet - 6 Steps to a Safer
Birth". Consider getting a head start on your labor and birth
preparation. You can never be too prepared. The advice available in this
booklet will prove invaluable to you and you can get yours by visiting:
http://www.birthclassathome.com
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader should contact a licensed medical professional regarding their own condition.
http://www.birthclassathome.com
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader should contact a licensed medical professional regarding their own condition.
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