Old remedy ... Mounting research
shows the century-old prescription of bed rest does not improve outcomes
in pregnancy. Picture: Thinkstock
Source: Supplied
WHILE doctors continue to prescribe bed rest as a treatment for
complications in pregnancy there is mounting evidence it may be doing
more harm than good.
Recently the American Society of High-Risk Obstetricians issued a
new guideline recommending against the routine use of bed rest in
pregnancy. The Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine guideline said bed
rest has not been proven to benefit any pregnancy condition. “We have to
stop,” said Dr Anthony Sciscione, the director of the Christiana Care
Health System in Delaware and co-author of the guideline.Bed rest is often recommended for potential complications, such as preterm contractions, dilated cervix from preterm labour, a short cervix, premature rupture of the amniotic sac, elevated blood pressure,
