Is Bed Rest Harmful?

Twenty percent of expectant mothers in the U.S. are prescribed bed rest at some point in their pregnancies.  Rachel Zimmerman, co-author of my book and journalist at National Public Radio, comments below on a recent "broad review of the medical literature that found bed rest offers no benefit for the most common conditions it's prescribed for."  My personal experience with bed rest was that it was one of the few things which seemed to (somewhat) reduce my severe nausea.  But it was a lonely experience to feel sicker than I imagined possible, and I wish my health care providers had acknowledged the toll of not being able to work.  Bed rest can mistakenly sound like a luxury.  This week Rachel launches an excellent new healthcare podcast, The Checkup, a partnership between NPR and Slate.  Her inaugural episode addresses "Three Myths of Pregnancy and Childbirth," including bed rest.  To listen to the podcast, click here.  (One of the most fascinating points in the podcast is an explanation of why the effect of gravity on the cervix is not the cause of pre-term labor.)  Additional commentary from Rachel Zimmerman on bed rest appears below.