As both a previously bedridden expectant mother of multiples and a home
care nurse with Tokos, the company that does the home uterine monitoring
and trebutaline pump care, I can tell you that bed rest for an
unsymptomatic MOM, in my experience, does not benefit from bed rest.
Reasonable limits on activity, using your own body's signals regarding
fatigue and common sense work fine for these MOMs.   Being alert to the
early signs and symptoms of preterm labor is essential.  If moms
recognize these early, chances are good that labor can be stopped or
slowed to allow for additional time for maturing baby's lungs.
This is strictly on my own observations, not from clinical studies.

Bed rest, when unnecessary, really puts a strain on a healthy persons
physical and emotional well being.

If you aren't already aware, there is a support group for women confined
to bed rest during pregnancy.  It is named Sidelines.  I can provide
further info privately if you are interested.

--

Denny Rice, RN, IBCLC
Dallas Texas USA

             ***********************************************
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