Joy in Birthing

When a woman’s cervix is frail (sometimes I simply call it an eager cervix, but you will not hear these terms often it is called weak or incompetent cervix) the baby is at risk of being born prematurely because the cervix shortens or opens too early. In order to prevent premature labor, a woman’s doctor may recommend a cervical cerclage. A cerclage is used to prevent these early changes in a woman’s cervix, thus preventing premature labor. The treatment consists of a stitch being inserted into and around the cervix early in the pregnancy, usually between weeks 12–14, and then removed towards the end of the pregnancy when the greatest risk of miscarriage has passed. About 1% of pregnant women have a shortened cervix. Some doctors may wish to place certain restrictions on sexual and other activities, but don’t stop kissing, hugging and fondling for sex comes in all different variations and penetration is just one way. Aerobic exercise is not permitted, although walking and isometric exercise is sometimes allowed. Cervical circolage does not always require bed rest, or total bed rest, and there are many other reason during your pregnancy that you might be required to go into total or partial bed rest.

Your doctor may also recommend bed rest if she suspects that your baby isn’t growing properly (intrauterine growth restriction), or if you have placenta previa (when your placenta is lying unusually low in your uterus, next to or covering your cervix). Also, you may be put on bed rest if you have mild gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. About 25% of women are put on bed rest at some point in their pregnancy. There are not many conclusive studies that prove without a doubt that bed rest is the best solution to any and all of these symptoms. More scientific studies are needed. In the meantime, experts disagree on when and how to prescribe bed rest. Many say that until there’s good evidence to the contrary, bed rest is worth it. Others disagree stating that bed rest itself can have negative effects and that women should not be subjected to it until we know that it does more good than harm. These caregivers tend to believe that the use of complete bed rest should be curtailed, and that some women would be better off just taking it easy — restricting their activity level, cutting back on work, avoiding heavy lifting or prolonged standing, and resting for a few hours each day. If you have been put on bed rest it can get pretty unnerving and discouraging and you are going to need the tools in this book more than ever. Aside from the obvious psychological downfalls of bed rest, restlessness, boredom and even depression, there is financial hardship, especially if your income is important in your family budget, the physical malaise of not moving insomnia, changes in your metabolism, bone loss, and aches and pains. As always everyone has an opinion. You have chosen your caregiver carefully and you now fully trust in his/her opinion. If she has suggested bed rest your choices are: listen and learn how to make the best of it; or get a second opinion and then listen and learn how to make the best of it!

Be prepared.