| Bed rest is something many pregnant women don't | | | | Another benefit of bed rest during pregnancy is that it |
| really think about until they are informed it will be | | | | gives other family members a chance to help you out. |
| necessary by their doctor. About 1 in 5 women have | | | | Many husbands and older children want to help in any |
| their doctors recommend bed rest during pregnancy. | | | | way they can. If they haven't done chores in the past |
| While it may sound boring, inconvenient and frightening, | | | | because you always picked up the slack, they will now |
| there are some bed rest benefits. Bed rest is usually | | | | get to see just how much you do for them every day. |
| recommended for high risk pregnancies or multiple | | | | If you are normally a critical perfectionist, you will find |
| births. There don't seem to be any general rules as to | | | | that you just need to accept the work that the rest of |
| when it is needed. Most doctors will evaluate the | | | | the family is doing, and appreciate their efforts, even if |
| necessity on a case by case basis. | | | | the result isn't exactly how you would have done it. |
| While you may worry about bed rest during | | | | Some more benefits are that you are forced to rest, |
| pregnancy, because it implies you may be at a higher | | | | and may finally get caught up on some much-needed |
| risk than most women, keep in mind that the vast | | | | sleep. Keep in mind that it will be a long time before |
| majority of women who have observed bed rest | | | | you will get a chance to get that much rest again. This |
| during their pregnancy deliver healthy babies. It is | | | | is especially true while your baby is still small. You will |
| usually a precaution taken by doctors when they feel | | | | also have time for hobbies that you may have |
| that too much activity will put undue stress on your | | | | neglected for a while. It's a great chance to get caught |
| body. | | | | up on some reading as well. |
| You may not relish the prospect of spending the last | | | | Bed rest during pregnancy also means that unlike most |
| months of your pregnancy as immobilized as possible, | | | | women, having the baby will mean that you will |
| but fortunately, there are some bed rest benefits. | | | | become more, not less mobile. Other women will |
| Many women who are unhappy with the idea at first | | | | expect to slow down for some time after delivering, |
| come to realize that it forces them to take a break | | | | while you will be getting back to your regular pace. |
| from what is often a hectic and stressful life. When | | | | While it may be frustrating, appreciating the rest |
| you have to spend your days on the couch or in bed, | | | | benefits will make this time go by more quickly and |
| you will find it much easier than you thought to stop | | | | you may very well find that you are more relaxed |
| worrying about a lot of things that previously seemed | | | | than you've been in years. |
| very important to you. | | | | |