The purpose of this study was to describe the physical and psychosocial effects of antepartum hospital bed rest on pregnant women and to determine whether the symptoms exhibited differed from those exhibited by pregnant women not on bed rest. Women on complete bed rest (n = 10) had greater gastrocnemius muscle dysfunction, weight loss, and dysphoria than women on partial bed rest (n = 7) or no bed rest (n = 18). Separation from family was the greatest hospital stressor. Postpartum recovery from the side effects of bed rest was prolonged and included symptoms of muscular and cardiovascular deconditioning. The severity of side effects appeared to be directly related to the degree of severity restriction.
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