Many couples who have a hard time getting pregnant are extremely careful about their hard-won babies.
Many pregnant mothers resigned immediately after their pregnancy test stick became red and did not leave behind closed doors. They began to stay in bed [to protect the baby] for fear that their children would fall off while walking.
Can bed rest really protect the baby? Should I lie down all the time when I am pregnant?
Today, Dr. Li Shan will test the scientific nature of this folk saying from a medical point of view.
Bed rest does not necessarily reduce the risk of pregnancy.
Pregnant, unwell, or brown secretions, we can pay more attention to rest, but it is not absolutely better to stay in bed.
The American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated: “Although bed rest and fluid supplementation have been recommended for patients with threatened abortion, these measures have not proved effective in preventing premature delivery and should not be routinely recommended. In addition, the potential hazards, including the negative effects of venous thromboembolism, bone decalcification, physical fitness loss and unemployment, should not be underestimated.”
However, in recent studies, strict bed rest (full-day bed rest and no other activities) does not have sufficient evidence to support its preventive or therapeutic effects on threatened abortion, pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia and premature delivery. More researchers believe that bed rest is harmful and useless and should not be prescribed at all.
In a study of 646 singleton women with short cervix (less than 3 cm), the results showed that even restricting activities of singleton women with short cervix did not reduce the risk of premature delivery. On the contrary, it may even increase the risk of premature delivery.
In 2014, the “Guidelines for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Premature Delivery” formulated by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Credit Association of the Chinese Medical Association also clearly pointed out that there is no evidence to support [bed rest] as an effective prevention method for premature delivery.
Long-term bed rest may also be harmful.
Long-term bed rest during pregnancy may also bring some harm to the body!
Harm 1: Increases the risk of venous thromboembolism.
During pregnancy, the blood is in a state of hypercoagulability. Bed rest and motionless will slow down the blood circulation, reduce the body’s resistance and make it easier to form thrombus.
A study found that the relative risk of thrombosis in pregnant women who are bedridden during pregnancy is much higher than that in pregnant women who are not bedridden.
Harm 2: Affects the function of bones and muscles.
Bed rest aggravates bone decalcification. A study on trabecular bone loss of pregnant women (by dual-energy X-ray absorption measurement) found that the corrected average loss was 4.6% for bed rest pregnant women and only 1.5% for non-bed rest pregnant women.
Long-term bed rest, muscle metabolism gradually changes, resulting in muscle disuse atrophy, and even postpartum lower limb weakness, walking difficulties.
Harm 3: Affects cardiopulmonary function and digestive function.
During pregnancy, due to the inhibition of placental hormone on digestive function, gastric sphincter relaxes and intestinal peristalsis decreases. Moreover, with the enlargement of uterus, pregnant women will feel nausea, flatulence, even vomiting, anorexia and even constipation.
And long-term bed rest will aggravate these discomfort. At the same time, due to the change of body position lying in bed, blood circulation distribution changes, easy to lead to heart and lung function decline. After long-term bed rest, some pregnant women may feel physical decline, shortness of breath and chest tightness after recovering activities. The original activities that can be completed are more difficult.
Harm 4: Give pregnant women more pressure and mental burden.
Pregnant women who stay in bed may think foolishly when they are fine. They are always worried about the health of the fetus. Depression is aggravating and often manifests itself as anxiety, hostility and irritability. In case of adverse consequences caused by unexpected circumstances, pregnant women may feel that they have not been strictly bedridden, resulting in serious remorse. This is undoubtedly a burden.
Moderate rest and exercise during pregnancy are necessary.
Perhaps the pregnant mother will ask, is it really possible to abandon bed rest during pregnancy?
Not really.
Under the current medical environment in our country, our doctors are facing patients with threatened abortion, premature delivery and premature rupture of membranes. At this time, the patients are generally highly nervous and cannot get sufficient rest. Then at these times, it is a necessary prerequisite for the next development to let the patients [have a good rest].
During pregnancy, moderate exercise and rest are important. Embryos are like crops. A strong seedling, moderate wind and rain, is beneficial to its growth. However, thin, rootless seedlings cannot grow and mature smoothly even if protected in a greenhouse.
During pregnancy, there are many reasons for threatened abortion and premature delivery. When these situations occur due to overwork, we need to reduce or avoid overwork activities appropriately:
Abdominal pain accompanied by vaginal bleeding occurs, especially with large blood volume, bright red blood color and abdominal pain (uterine contraction).
During the examination, pregnant women found submembranous or subvillous hematoma, or placenta previa, accompanied by hemorrhage.
Cervical cerclage has been performed. Or due to anatomical abnormalities of the uterus (such as saddle-shaped uterus or cervical insufficiency), one or more miscarriages and premature births have occurred.
Of course, I don’t recommend bed rest, in fact, refers to a long-term, strict bed rest, refers to the other time stay in bed without any activities in addition to the necessary examination. A good person, the body is twice as good as eating well, lying down all day long, no problem also want to lie out of trouble!
In the face of accidental abortion and premature delivery, we must carefully find out the real reason, can’t blindly terminate all activities long-term bed rest. Maintain a relaxed and happy mood, moderate leisure and entertainment activities, not only conducive to the health of body and mind during pregnancy, but also has certain benefits to the growth and development of the fetus.
Therefore, during pregnancy, expectant mothers must master the strength and balance between rest and exercise. Relaxation and combination of work and rest will help them pass the pregnancy more healthily and smoothly.
