In a message dated 99-09-03 11:46:28 EDT, you write:

Re: << HOM mothers are advised to go on bedrest at 20 weeks for triplets, 18
weeks for quads, and really just be a human incubator.  >>

Congrats on your 8 1/2 month old breastfed babies!

If you have research reports demonstrating significantly significant benefits
from bed rest instituted as early as 18-20 weeks for HOM, I'd really
appreciate the citations. All I've found is "crap shot" data on this
topic--little supportive data/evidence re: the benefit of "prophylactic" bed
rest as instituted at a specific time in pregnancy with HOM, esp. as early as
18-20 weeks and/or when there's no evidence of cervical shortening or
dilatation per cervical ultrasound exam--or negative fetal fibrinectin after
20 weeks  (vs. after diagnosed episode of preterm labor). The evidence I've
read on bed rest in general for HOM is ambiguous at best but does show some
benefit, especially as the number of fetuses increases. (Sample sizes are so
small!)

Anyone working with expectant mothers on bed rest would really benefit from
Judy Maloni's (PhD, RN) written seminar on the topic from AWHONN. The
physiologic side effects of heavy-duty bed rest are incredibly profound and
begin within days, including appetite suppression which makes taking in those
3500 calories that much more difficult. Bed rest should never be recommended
casually.

The Cochrane database web site has info on this.

KKG

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html