Experts estimate that one out of four women experience a pregnancy-related complication that may lead to a premature birth, including: multiple-birth pregnancies, preeclampsia hypertension, vaginal bleeding, placenta previa, preterm labor, premature rupture of the membranes, a cardiac condition, any abnormal bleeding, or an incompetent cervix (where the opening to the uterus widens prematurely).
Doctors say that putting a mother on the sidelines gives her the best chance of carrying the baby to full term. Bed rest may buy the baby a little more time in the uterus rather than in the neonatal intensive care unit [and] bed rest helps a woman feel she’s able to help her baby during a high-risk pregnancy.
Women are highly motivated to help their babies, but bed rest can still be demoralizing. Some women hate the “sick” role and feel out of control. Others feel guilty about relying on others for domestic help or caring for their other children. Boredom, frustration, loneliness, anger, depression and anxiety are common.
So, ironically, is fatigue, which leads to frequent naps, which leads to sleeplessness at night. And physical discomforts like indigestion, constipation, physical aches and pains, weight loss and sometimes loss of muscle tone, add to the stress. It can be a challenging time, but there are many steps you can take to get you through. See sidebars.
Joan Swirsky is a psychotherapist, former OB nurse, and the author of Gift of Life: A Spiritual Companion for the Mother-to-Be.
What Can Mom Do?
Ask for help (even if it's not your style)
Catch up on reading, rent mood-elevating videos, become a bird-watcher, shop online
(for the new baby’s needs), or pursue quiet interests like knitting, scrapbooking or meditating.
Use a laptop computer to consult helpful Internet sites or join chat rooms.
Get a massage (with doctor’s orders) and a manicure.
Keep an earpiece handy to listen to your iPod or books on tape.
Call a short-term psychotherapist if you’re depressed or anxious – many conduct
sessions by phone.
More Help:
The Pregnancy Bed Rest Book: A Survival Guide for Expectant Mothers and Their Families by Amy E. Tracy (Berkley, $10.95).
Days in Waiting: A Guide to Surviving Pregnancy Bed Rest by Mary Ann McCann
(Deruyter-Nelson Publications, $16)
The Bed Rest Survival Guide by Barbara Edelston Peterson and Hallie Beachum
(Avon Books, $10).
