Moms-to-Be Bed Rest Exercise DVD: Empowering Women to Take Charge

Purpose for the program:

Patients in our Antepartum unit reported physically deteriorating effects of prescribed bed rest, including muscle pain, especially neck, lower back, hip and headache, weakness, stiffness, and dizziness upon rising, increasing the risk for falls. Women also reported psychological effects related to bed rest, including lack of control, fear, lonliness, depression, and boredom.  Previously, patients received a brochure of bed rest exercises. Patients were to read and perform the exercises without instruction or supervision. Few patients participated. The brochure was redesigned to include pictures and simpler instructions. Still, few patients participated. Staffing and resource limitations prohibited 1:1 instruction and supervision. The Moms-to-Be Bed Rest Exercise DVD, a collaborative project between Nursing and Physical Therapy, was produced to provide guided bed rest exercise instruction for patients.

Proposed change:

Currently, women receive a DVD as soon as they are cleared for exercise by the physician. The DVD was designed for easy use; patients simply turn it on and follow along as the model demonstrates each exercise. Patients perform exercises independently, at a time that is convenient for them. The goal of the DVD is to promote exercises that may help ease both physical and psychological stresses associated with bed rest, while increasing the patient's perception of control. By educating the patient regarding body mechanics, positioning for comfort, and bed mobility, she will be empowered.

Implementation, outcomes and evaluation:

After months of research, design, and production, the DVD was released in August, 2010. The DVD was presented to the Birth Center Parent Advisory committee members and received rave reviews. Nuring education was rolled out in the 6 months prior to the DVD release. Education included evidence regarding the efficacy (or lack thereof) of antepartum bed rest, as well as the adverse physical and psychological effects on patients, including nursing interventions to help alleviate the symptoms. Nurses are expected to encourage and support the patients as they perform the exercises. Surveys will be distributed to patients to obtain evaluation data (to be ready for June, 2011 presentation). Data will include patient's perceptions of effectiveness of the bed rest exercises to decrease the negative effects of antepartum bed rest.

Implications for nursing practice:

 This innovative project will provide information regarding the patient's perceptions of an exercise intervention aimed at reducing the adverse effects of antepartum bed rest.

Keywords: bed rest, pregnancy, antepartum, complications