Beyond the Myths: Real Science in Women's Health - Bed Rest Prevents Preterm Birth? A Comfortable Illusion.

Study after study shows no benefit to bedrest in pregnancy to prevent prematurity. Women on bed rest did not deliver later, and their babies did not have better outcomes.

Bed Rest Prevents Preterm Birth? A Comfortable Illusion.

When I was a trainee, a woman with preterm contractions was almost automatically admitted to the hospital and prescribed “strict bed rest.” Nurses would carefully document the hours she stayed flat in bed. Families rearranged their lives to support it. The underlying idea seemed simple: if the uter…