Pregnancy is a delicate phase when a woman needs to take some extra precautions to sustain the baby growing within her. IVF clinic in Delhi prescribes bed rest for a majority of women at some time or the other during the gestation period. Being confined to the bed may seem like a small price to pay, particularly when the doctor says so. However, bed rest during pregnancy has its risks and benefits. Also, it is confusing to understand; for some women, it may encompass taking small breaks, and for others, it could be absolute confinement. A woman should seek clarity as well as justification from her infertility specialist in Delhi rather than following instructions blindly.
When is bed rest during pregnancy justified?
Bed rest during pregnancy is a subjective issue. Fatigue and pressure of carrying growing baby could make a woman want to take rest. In some cases, the IVF specialist in Delhi may recommend it at some stage or during the entire pregnancy. The instruction usually comes for complicated and precious pregnancy. Similarly, women who have conceived after a prolonged bout with female infertility may also be advised bed rest. Here are some conditions when this instruction by the infertility clinics in Delhi is justified for a woman:
- Vaginal bleeding anytime during pregnancy
- Cervical incompetence
- Placental complications such as placenta previa or placental abruption
- Multiple pregnancies
- History of premature labor, miscarriage or multiple failed IVF cycles
- Gestational hypertension
- Gestational diabetes
- Poor fetal growth
- Any other pregnancy complications
The instructions given by the infertility specialist in Delhi vary depending upon the complexity of the conditions. Some women may be asked to take periodic breaks during the day while others may have to be hospitalized. In a majority of cases, it is done to stabilize the condition and improve the chances of a safe delivery. However, a patient must ask the doctor for reasons to justify the instruction.
Are there any risks related to unneeded bed rest?
A pregnant woman definitely needs to take it easy, particularly if she has conceived after a long bout with infertility. The infertility clinics in Delhi have plenty of reasons to justify this advice. Taking short bed rest breaks gives her physical rest as well as improves blood flow to the placenta. It reduced stress, replenishes energy levels, and lowers blood pressure. Though this practice may be considered beneficial but prolonging it could pose some risks during pregnancy. A woman needs to be aware of these risks and weigh them with the benefits to decide what is best for her. Here are some of these risks:
- Venous thromboembolism, is a condition when a blood clot is formed in a deep vein
- Weakened muscles and bones
- Maternal weight gain or loss as well as the risk of low birth weight of the baby
- Slower post-partum recovery
- Anxiety and depression
- Stress due to financial pressure and loss of work
- Child care issues for women who already have children
While bed rest could be essential for pregnant women, it could cause these issues too. Therefore, the patient needs to have a word with her gynecologist and seek good reasons for following these instructions.
Coping with the Instructions
Primarily, the woman should talk to the infertility specialist in Delhi about the risks and benefits of bed rest. If the benefits do exceed the risks, she should patiently follow the instructions she gets from the infertility clinics in Delhi for the baby’s sake. At the same time, there should be complete clarity about the rules of bed rest. These rules relate to the timing and best position of pregnancy bed rest. The woman should also ask about maintaining her hygiene in the context of showering and using the toilet. Another important question is related to the safety of sex during pregnancy. There is also a query related to activity to prevent complications such as blood clot formation during prolonged bed rest.
Besides these issues, the woman also needs to deal with the practical ones too. She should accept support from friends and family who volunteer with tasks such as helping with groceries and child care. Scheduling her day and trying to learn something such as a new language or craft can be a good way to avoid boredom. Staying in touch with people through text and emails also keeps a woman connected and engaged. Doing some mild exercises to keep moving is vital. A woman can ask her infertility specialist in Delhi about safe activities, which may be taken up after a certain time. Eating a healthy, nutritious diet is important too, as high-fat food can cause weight gain, which may not be good for the woman. She should also drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and prevent constipation.
Gaudium IVF is one of the top fertility clinic in Delhi, India, and is renowned for bringing advanced and affordable treatment and care for female infertility and gynecological issues. It also offers solutions for patients facing complications during pregnancy.
For a free second opinion and expert advice from the leading infertility specialist Dr. Manika Khanna, contact us today.