Jean-Louis Zetumer

A growing number of physicians are moving away from the concept of strict bed rest, instead using it only as a last resort. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Trusted SourceAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Obstetrics & Gynecology %u201CTherapeutic%u201D Bed Rest in PregnancySee All Sources and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) do not recommend traditional bed rest, Trusted SourceSociety for Maternal-Fetal MedicineActivity restriction in pregnancySee All Sources stating that there is no evidence that it actually helps prevent or treat pregnancy complications.

But that doesn’t mean that your practitioner won’t ask you to refrain from some of your usual activities to protect both you and your baby. Here’s what you can expect from activity restriction, including how to stay mentally and physically healthy when you’re spending less time on your feet.

In the past, bed rest was categorized as one of the following: scheduled resting, modified bed rest, strict bed rest and hospital bed rest. But doctors today are moving away from these distinctions, instead recommending one of the following two categories depending on the severity of the pregnancy complication: Trusted SourceMayo ClinicBed rest during pregnancy: Get the factsSee All Sources

Certain pregnant people are more likely to wind up on activity restriction, including those with certain chronic conditions. There are also certain pregnancy conditions that may prompt your doctor to reduce your activity, however, there is little medical evidence to suggest efficacy:

Doctors who prescribe activity restriction say it can reduce some pressure on your cervix and strain on your heart while increasing circulation to your uterus. If your doctor prescribes some level of activity restriction and you’re not sure why, ask. She should be able to explain to you what the benefits are along with whether or not they outweigh the risks.

Being off your feet for a long period of time comes with its share of drawbacks — which is why many doctors are more likely to be cautious of doling out bed rest. Prolonged inactivity can lead to hip and back pain, muscle atrophy (which can make it harder to bounce back once you deliver), skin irritation, bone loss and even blood clots in the legs.

Bed rest may also aggravate many of the normal symptoms of pregnancy, such as heartburn, constipation and leg swelling, as well as increase your risk for gestational diabetes, since your body isn’t breaking down glucose at its usual rate.

In addition, research has established a link between decreased appetite (which can happen with activity restriction), maternal weight loss and low birth-weight infants. In other words, if you don’t have an appetite and therefore aren’t getting enough to eat, there’s a good chance your baby isn’t either.

Medical experts have also warned that prolonged inactivity can lead to depression — and that the depression sometimes hangs around after the baby arrives. Be aware of the signs: unshakable feelings of sadness, loss of appetite and major mood swings. Any pregnant woman may experience each of these symptoms at various times, but speak to your practitioner if these symptoms feel hard to manage.

Bed rest, unfortunately, is no pajama party. Once reality sets in and you realize that you can’t do some of the things you’re used to doing, any appeal is lost pretty quickly. After you find out from your doctor exactly which activities are allowed (and which aren’t), use these tips to minimize some of the side effects.

Given the reservations many doctors have about prolonged bed rest now, it’s unlikely that you’ll find yourself completely bedridden — and you may be surprised at the things you can still do when you’re being asked to do less. A few suggestions:

Living with limitations can drive you a bit nuts, especially if you’re normally a very active person. Sometimes keeping yourself busy can provide a welcome distraction. A few suggestions:

Remember that you’re simply starting the parenting process a little earlier than most, doing what may be best for your child — even if it’s not terribly fun for you. Every day you take it easy is one potentially more day your baby (or babies) grows inside you, giving him or her (or them) the best chance at being born healthy and strong.

Depending on how much your activity is restricted, you may need to make some changes around your home:

Keep your expectations realistic after delivery. Cut yourself some postpartum slack, factoring in all your body has been through. Depending on the level of activity restriction, you may not have the same aerobic capacity or muscular strength that you had before.

So give yourself a chance to recover, and plan on building back up to your former fitness level slowly. Walking, yoga and swimming are good activities to do to get back into the game. With consistent effort on your part and help from your practitioner, family and friends, don’t worry. You’ll get there!

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