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Multiple Gestation: Side Effects of Antepartum Bed Rest

The birth rate for higher order multiples has dramatically increased in recent decades. Multiple gestation pregnancies are considered to be at high obstetric risk. Antepartum bed rest is often prescribed to offset complications despite the lack of evidence for its effectiveness in preventing complications. This longitudinal repeated-measures study identified side effects of antepartum bed rest treatment for 31 hospitalized women with twin or triplet gestation. Maternal weight gain and infant birth weight were recorded. Antepartum stressors were measured by the Antepartum Stressors Hospital Inventory, and depressive symptoms were measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Antepartum and post-partum side effects of bed rest were also assessed by the Antepartum and Postpartum Symptom Checklists. The weekly rate of maternal weight gain during hospitalization was significantly less than recent recommendations for multiple gestation weight gain (t =– 2.14,p = .04). Infant birth weights were appropriate for gestational age. There were fewer than expected small-for-gestational-age infants. Concerns regarding family status and separation from family were the major antepartum stressors. Women reported a high number of symptoms during bed rest (M=22), which did not significantly change across 2 weeks. CES-D scores for depressive symptoms were high on antepartum hospital admission. Postpartum symptoms were initially high but had significantly declined by 6 weeks: F(1, 27)=15.68, p =.00. These findings suggest that interventions are needed to reduce antepartum maternal weight loss, stress, physiologic and psychosocial symptoms, and depressive symptoms, as well as reduce postpartum symptoms of maternal morbidity.