There was a time when it was expected that women would take to their beds during pregnancy. But today, if your doctor tells you to rest it may come as a bit of a shock.
Sarah Bilston was prescribed bed rest during two pregnancies, and the experience led her to write a novel about the difficulties of doing nothing. In the United States - where she lives - research has shown that 92% of obstetricians prescribe this treatment in some form.
Miriam discusses why bed rest is still recommended when there’s no evidence to show it helps - and can in fact cause harm. Consultant obstetrician Dr Maggie Blott from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists brings us up to date with medical thinking in the UK.
Bed Rest by Sarah Bilston is published by Little Brown (ISBN 978-1-84744-012-9)
