Bed rest? Does it help lengthen the cervix in pregnancy?

[212smj]

Hello,

The title says it all really. Is there a significant benefit to bed rest when your cervix is shortening? Or your cervix is incompetent?

Yeah... no. That's not going to be the case. Emily Oster, author of 'Expecting Better' has a chapter about bed rest - basically there's no evidence to show it actually helps to prevent pre-term labour.

Here's an article where she summarizes that part of the book:
www.slate.com/blogs/expecting_better/2013/08/19/bed_rest_during_pregnancy_doctor_s_orders_to_curb_premature_labor_but_there.html

This is a topic of some interest to me also.

Some seem to argue for, others against. At the moment there is no proof it does, but some consultants do still recommend bed rest. There are forums dedicated to the subject, and...for some women it seems to have really made a difference. There probably needs to be more studies on this to answer the question once and for all.

I do know of one woman with IC who resumed normal activities after having previously been on modified bedrest...who suddenly went into labour the day she walked over two miles to see a friend. Would it have happened anyway? It's possible, no one can say 100%.

Personally, I would go easy where possible but not necessarily confine myself to bed.

It's a really, really tricky subject and quite controversial. It's handed out like candy in the US, perhaps because it feels to the patient like they're "doing something", but over here it's very much the other way round as research seems to indicate it makes no difference.

Basically the main issue is by lying in bed all day your muscles go to crap and it can have negative effects on your general health in the long term as well as short term. If there is no provable benefit to the pregnancy then it's not a case of benefits outweighing the risks.

On the flip side of the coin, logically it feels like lying down would take the weight off as would taking it easy. Certainly overdoing it brings on contractions which is not great with IC.

I guess the thing to consider is if you were active and something happened, would you blame yourself?

Personally I would at least try and take it as easy as possible, and avoid unnecessary journeys on foot, housework etc. But not stay totally inactive. This is what I have done in the past.

The one time where it really would make a difference is where things are literally almost hanging out, but you'd be in hospital for that!

How short is your cervix? Make sure they are keeping a VERY CLOSE eye on you!!

I lost my son at 6 months in April 2012.. just webt into labour without knowing. I'm now pregnant again and had a scan at 16 and 17 weeks to check the length of my cervix. My 17 week scan showed my cervix at 2.43cm..4 days later I went into hospital with a pain to find my cervix had shortened to 1.2cm.. in just 4 days!!!

Luckily they caught and I know have a stitch, I've taken it easy the past week and a half and now 20 weeks on Tuesday. Luckily the stitch is working, a scan will hopefully confirm this on the 30th. If you have any doubts go with your instinct :-)

Thanks for replies.

I had a shirodkar suture put in at 17 weeks as a safety measure, as I lost my first child at 22+3. My consultant suspected IC. When I had my suture put in my cervix was nice and long 4.8, so we were not sure I really needed it. I am very glad that I have it now, as at my last scan my cervix was 2.1 but not opening or funnelling. My consultant is very relaxed about it, he says put my faith in the stitch and it will do its job. I'm also on Cyclogest. I have heard so much about bedrest in the US but my consultant is not really a fan. I have been resting quite a bit this week but I'm going to go back to work Monday and Tuesday. I have another cervical length on Tuesday, I am really hoping it will still be 2.1! Although I have heard stories of some measurements increasing with Cyclogest! Fingers crossed!!

I am 22+4 so the timing is a bit tough with it being so close to when I lost my DD. I think I am worrying a bit too much. 4thTime I'm sorry for your loss.

I was told to take things easy and not do anything throughout the pregnancy, wasn't told to gave bedrest... I wanted to rest for two weeks to be on the safe side :-).

Just take things easy, hope your scan shows all is well. d

I am 18+4 today and on bed rest due to IC. My cervix was measuring 0.4cm last Tuesday and I had an emergency stitch put in (not a cerclage as my cervix was too short for it but something similar). I'm still in hospital and I am allowed to get up to go to the bathroom and shower and such if I want to go anywhere else within the hospital I need a wheelchair. I'm hoping to be discharged on Monday and anticipate being on modified bed rest or reduced activity for the rest of my pregnancy. I've read the literature on whether bed rest helps and my opinion is that even if there is only a small chance it will help, given the alternative, I will do whatever I can to keep this baby inside me for as long as possible.

I'd feel the same missmedusa, bed rest certainly isnt going to make it worse so whatever you can do in the hope of helping is ok.

Interesting variation of cervix lengths here, I had 2 cervical length scans, one at 14+6 and another at 21 weeks. Mine was 3.3 both times so they said they didnt need to see me again.

Good luck to everyone, as if pregnancy isnt worrying enough, this is a frightening facet. Even though mine was fine I felt so upset that my bdy could be letting me down on something I had no control over. Hope we all have our healthy term babies!

Thanks for replies.

Have any of you heard of cervical lengths increasing with Cyclogest/Progesterone?

Good luck to everyone!!

Yes, progesterone is supposed to help. It hasn't with me but I've heard from several people who were on it whose cervix lengths increased.

Thanks MissMedusa. I will continue to quietly hope for the best, although the side effects are starting to kick in! But hopefully it will be worth it. I hope you are doing okay hun x

I am on "home rest" for a shortening cervix. It was first picked up at 27 weeks, I'm now 35+4. The doctor used the term bed rest, but said he didn't mean to stay in bed for months. He just meant take it easy, no working, no heavy lifting, no heavy housework etc. He also said to try and get out for a short time once a day (15 mins or so).

My cervix has stopped shortening since I did this (no gain in length though).

I am in Switzerland, so the advice here seems to be somewhere in between "bed rest" and "proceed normally". Seems quite sensible to me.

Thanks Schokolade. I hope it goes well for you hun.

How did it go? I'm in a similar situation but 3mm :(