The reasons for bed rest include:

• Preterm labor
• Multiples pregnancy
• High blood pressure, preeclampsia and eclampsia
• Cervical changes including cervical effacement and incompetent cervix
• Vaginal bleeding
• History of pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or premature birth
• Poor fetal development
• Gestational diabetes
• Placenta complications, such as placental abruption, placenta previa, and placenta accreta

The purpose of bed rest is to help your body rest and minimize or overcome the condition that had your doctor put you on bed rest in the first place. If you suffer from high blood pressure, bed rest is used to decrease stress and lower blood pressure. Working, staying active or exercising may provoke or worsen certain situations. Bed rest is necessary to prevent or diminish certain conditions.

It is important to get a clear understanding of what your bed rest restrictions are. Depending on the nature and severity of your condition, the list of your approved activities may vary. If your doctor has not specified what you are allowed to do, make sure to ask about activities such as cooking, light housekeeping, walking, bathing or showering, driving, exercising and sexual intercourse.

While it may sound like resting is a great idea, especially now that you are exhausted because of your pregnancy and may need the rest anyway, you could find it less pleasant than expected. Being restricted to bed for days or even weeks or months can be boring, uncomfortable and inconvenient. However, do not take it lightly. Bed rest is prescribed for your health and your baby’s health.

How far along into the pregnancy should you be when you tell your employer is entirely up to you, unless the type of work you do involves potential hazards materials or a medical condition is involved.  Otherwise, your pregnancy is legally irrelevant to your work. If you can do your work, keep doing it.

Learn about your rights in regards to your employment and how your pregnancy may affect it. Contact the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and your state civil rights commission for information specific to your state.

Check your pay stab to see if your work place deducts state disability insurance (not all states have this), which means you are eligible for a paid maternity leave (check with state disability insurance for more information). Also review your company’s employee manual for their take on maternity leave, or if they do not have this type of policy, read about short term disability, as well as pregnancy Disability Leave.

When you have researched the topics above make sure to document your questions, so when you are ready for that announcement at the workplace, you will be ready to ask human resources the questions you have. Remember – knowledge is power.