Bedrest Compliance for Women with Pregnancy Problems

Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2013

Therapeutic" bed rest continues to be used widely, despite evidence of no benefit and known harms. In this commentary, we summarize the Cochrane reviews of bed rest and propose an ethical argument for discontinuing this practice. Cochrane systematic reviews do not support "therapeutic" bed rest for threatened abortion, hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm birth, multiple gestations, or impaired fetal growth. This assessment has been echoed in other comprehensive reviews. Prescribing bed rest is inconsistent with the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, and justice. Hence, if bed rest is to be used, it should be only within a formal clinical trial.

2013

Therapeutic" bed rest continues to be used widely, despite evidence of no benefit and known harms. In this commentary, we summarize the Cochrane reviews of bed rest and propose an ethical argument for discontinuing this practice. Cochrane systematic reviews do not support "therapeutic" bed rest for threatened abortion, hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm birth, multiple gestations, or impaired fetal growth. This assessment has been echoed in other comprehensive reviews. Prescribing bed rest is inconsistent with the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, and justice. Hence, if bed rest is to be used, it should be only within a formal clinical trial.

Background: Pregnancy in women?s life is considered unique and natural period. But when the pregnancy is at high risk, it is recommended to limit activity and treated with bed rest which disturbs natural process of pregnancy. The women develop some needs during the journey of bed rest and want support to get them fulfilled for better maternal and fetal outcome. Objective: To undertake a narrative review so as to explore the needs of high risk pregnant women during bed rest. Method: 8 studies were selected from a period of 1991-2016 after keyword searches for PubMed, EBSCO, DELNET databases and google scholarly articles. Manual searches of other relevant journals and reference list of primary articles were also done. Results: 8 studies were selected for this narrative review including 5 qualitative and 3 quantitative studies. Data analysis of 4 of the studies reported the needs of high risk pregnant women during bed rest like need for consultation due to physical problems, psychological problems, marital problems, fear and stress, need for planning various activities during bed rest, need for counselling on psychological problems, need for social support, need for assistance with emotional adaptation and bed rest. Remaining 4 studies discussed about anxiety, stress, depression and worries faced by women which are factors for arousing specific needs during bed rest in high risk pregnancy. Conclusion: Bed rest interrupts the natural process of pregnancy due to which high risk pregnant mother may sometime feel isolated. During hospitalization, the high risk pregnant mother has high level of stress, anxiety and worries. So, nurse should have a sense of responsibility to assess the needs of high risk pregnant mother and can take help of family members to cope up with the situation.

Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, <html_ent glyph="@amp;" ascii="&amp;"/> Neonatal Nursing, 1997

= Objective: To describe the experience of prolonged bed rest from the perspective of women during high-risk pregnancies.

Journal of midwifery and reproductive health, 2018

Background & aim: pregnancy is a normal part of life, however, high-risk pregnancy that need bed rest can be stressful and affect woman and her family. Therefore, understanding the needs of women on bed rest seems to be necessary to enhance the quality of care services. The present study was conducted to investigate the women's needs on bed rest during high-risk pregnancy and postpartum period. Methods: This qualitative study was performed among women with high-risk pregnancy using purposeful sampling method. Data were collected by conducting 31 semi-structured interviews with 21 pregnant women, 10 spouses, and 7 medical staff involved in their healthcare. Data analysis was carried out using conventional content analysis developed by Hsieh and Shannon. Results: According to the results, there were four main categories of needs entailing the need for psychosocial support, support for family and personal affairs, support for looking after children, and the need for economic support. The final category was the need for comprehensive support. Conclusion: The personal and family life of pregnant women is affected during bed rest. Accordingly, comprehensive support is needed to enable women to cope with these problems. To reach this goal, the provision of family-centered support services based on coordination among health sections, supporting organizations, charities, social workers, and systems providing psychological and consultation services are recommended.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2004

Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2013

Journal of SAFOG with DVD, 2012

For centuries it is common myth to advice bed rest during pregnancy. At the least pretext bed rest is advised by family members and by health care providers also. But review of literature and RCT shows that in reality bed rest does not alter the course of pregnancy in various complications. Role of bed rest has been examined in singleton, twin and triplet pregnancies but was not found useful. Prolonged bed rest is rather harmful as it causes increased calcium excretion, loss of muscle mass, financial loss and increased psychological rest for the pregnant woman and her family. Moderate exercise is advisable throughout pregnancy to maintain tone of muscles and range of movements. So till we have more proof we should be cautious in advising pregnant patients about bed rest. It can be limited activity where we feel it is not advisable to overexert her. How to cite this article Ahuja M. Bed Rest in Pregnancy and Its Related Complications: Is It Needed?. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 201...

1991

Reviews, 1996