[2:02] Brigid describes the listener question asking for The Kick about being prescribed bedrest.

[2:52] In the U.S, 95% of practitioners recommended bedrest as a possible treatment for different issues in pregnancy.

[3:35] Dr Pat talks about when you might be prescribed bedrest. He thinks in extreme cases of prematurity, say at 22 weeks, there may be a case for bedrest but as part of his treatment, he rarely prescribes bed rest.

[5:02] Dr Pat describes the position in bedrest, Trendelenburg. Which is head down and hips up, supported by pillows.

[5:16] Major placenta previa was once a case for ‘bedrest’ to be prescribed as treatment but a woman might be more prone to deep vein thrombosis.

[6:05] Brigid’s ‘google’ search sees that women throughout the World are being prescribed bed rest for the following, which Dr Pat then debunks: pre-eclampsia, prematurity, cervical insufficiency, placenta previa, threatened miscarriage, history of still birth, poor fetal development, gestational diabetes.

[7:23] Dr Pat talks about how bedrest is an ‘old fashioned idea’ when doctors didn’t have much in their ‘toolbox’.

[9:07] Brigid comments that in some countries, up to 1 in 5 women will be recommended bedrest.

[10:09] Dr Pat talks about better treatment when issues such as bleeding after sex, you might be recommended.

[10:59] Dr Pat talks about mental health if you have been told to have months of bedrest and the potential financial impact of leaving work.

[12:00] Dr Pat talks about how most of his patients who are working want to work up until about 36 weeks.

[13:54] Brigid and Dr Pat talk about what you could do if your doctor recommends bedrest.

[14:49] What questions can you ask your provider.

[15:30] What are the risks of the treatment? What are the risks if we do nothing? What could go wrong if we do the treatment that wouldn’t have happened if we don’t do the treatment? Are there any studies to support this as a treatment? Could I see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.

[18:55] If you proceed with bedrest, Dr Pat talks about wearing compression stockings, be anti-coagulated (clexane), move around the bed in a way that is known to be safe, involve a physiotherapist, massage, proactive mental health strategies, make sure your streaming services are up to date!

[18:47] Watch out for sudden unilateral leg pain with associated loss of function and/or shortness of breath.

[19:47] Bed rest – Not the benign intervention you think!

[20:12] Myth or fact: if you eat right in your pregnancy, you can avoid pre-eclampsia.