Effects of bed rest on new mums to be examined

31 Jul 2008

The effect of weeks of bed rest during pregnancy is being investigated by an American university.

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, are set to test new inventions which are designed to aid the rebuilding of muscles and strengthening stamina after birth.

Judith Maloni, a professor of nursing at the Bolton School, commented that research studies by NASA have shown that bed rest changes every organ in the body.

She is now set to test a set of exercises and educational programmes that will help women to manage recovery after birth and bed rest.

A total of 80 women who have had good physical and mental health during pregnancy will have at least 21 days bed rest prior to their baby's birth to examine the effects.

Professor Maloni explained that many women who have been confined to beds will suffer from back problems and muscle aches but that this is completely normal.

Figures show that almost one million women are confined to bed rest towards the end of their pregnancies in order to prevent premature labour and associated conditions.

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