Rest during pregnancy

The prescribed antepartum bed rest may result in babies that are smaller than the normal, says study.

New research shows evidence that prescribed antepartum bed rest may result in babies that are smaller than normal as well as other problems.

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The study published in the Biological Research For Nursing reports that prescribed bed rest during pregnancy may cause a myriad of problems for mothers as well as babies with lower than normal birth weights.

The study, led by Dr Judith A Maloni of the Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, consisted of 141 women with high-risk pregnancies who were treated with hospital bed rest.

According to the results of the 1.7 million-dollar study, bed rest contributes to weight loss in the mother, when weight gain is imperative at later stages of pregnancy, which in turn is associated with an increased risk of fetal growth restriction.

The women taking part in the study experienced other problems related to bed rest including backache, joint and muscle soreness, headaches, muscle loss and depression.