Bed Rest

DE-RESTRICT is a pilot study testing whether a strategy to reduce the use of activity restriction and bedrest in pregnancy is acceptable, appropriate, and feasible for prenatal care providers, and whether it changes how often activity restriction is recommended. Activity restriction and bedrest are commonly advised to try to prevent preterm birth, but they do not prevent it and may cause harm, and national guidelines recommend against them. The study takes place at two prenatal care settings within one health system and unfolds across four periods. In the pre-deimplementation period the study team develops a local clinical guideline and measures baseline outcomes. In the run-in period most provider education is delivered through interactive sessions with feedback, and audit and feedback begins. In the maintenance period audit and feedback continues. In the post-deimplementation period audit and feedback continues and outcomes are measured again. The study measures provider acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility, the rate of activity restriction recommendations, patient-reported wellbeing and care experience, and the preterm birth rate.

This study aims to evaluate the impact of a specifically designed exercise program for hospitalized high-risk pregnant individuals on bed rest. This is a specifically designed physical activiity program, consisting of a resistance and strength exercises intended to be performed even while in bed and seeks to address physical and emotional health challenges during hospitalization. The study will compare outcomes between participants who follow the exercise program and those receiving standard care. Primary outcomes include physical and emotional health parameters, quality of life, and sleep quality. Secondary outcomes focus on feasibility, adherence, and participant satisfaction. This research addresses the gap in physical activity guidelines for pregnant individuals on bed rest and explores the potential benefits of exercise to improve maternal well-being and postpartum recovery.

Maternal AR has long been used to prevent PTB. However, definitions of AR vary widely, ranging from complete bed rest to partial limitation of physical activity for one or more hours daily. The use of maternal AR to prevent preterm birth is largely based on observational evidence linking strenuous physical activity to an increased risk of preterm birth, and the assumption that reduced activity may decrease myometrial activity. However, the existing evidence on the clinical effects of AR remains limited and has not demonstrated a reduction in preterm birth or a delay in deliv-ery. In contrast, some studies suggest a potential increase in preterm birth following AR and instead significant adverse maternal and fetal effects. The overall aim of this study is to compare gestational age at birth in women with a short cervix who are prescribed AR compared with women with a short cervix who are not prescribed AR (NAR). The primary hypothesis is that NAR is non-inferior to AR in prolonging pregnancy in women with a short cervix. Secondary hypotheses are that, compared with AR, NAR is associated with higher level of physical activity, lower risk of maternal depression, and reduced risk of loss of maternal bone mineral density. Through the BEWISE study, we wish to implement a change in the Danish national clinical practice regarding AR from recommending AR in risk groups (current practice) to no longer recommending AR as part as routine care (new practice). We will evaluate this change in clinical practice by prospectively collecting data from women both before and after implementation of the new recommendation. The transition from AR to NAR will be implemented sequentially in each Danish region using a randomised stepped-wedge (SW) cluster design, with each region constituting a cluster. The order in which regions transition is determined by randomisation. Each region will adopt the new recommendation at 3-month intervals, resulting in full national transition from AR to NAR within 12 months Eligible participants are pregnant women in gestational age 20+0 to 33+6 and cervical length \< 25 mm in singleton pregnancies and \< 30 mm in multiple pregnancies. Participants must be above 18 years of age and be able to read and understand Danish or English. There are no exclusion criteria. The primary outcome is gestational age in days (continuous).

This pilot study aims to evaluate the impact of a specifically designed exercise program for hospitalized high-risk pregnant individuals on bed rest. The exercise program, focused on resistance and strength training, is adapted for execution while in bed and seeks to address physical and emotional health challenges during hospitalization. The study will compare outcomes between participants who follow the exercise program and those receiving standard care. Primary outcomes include physical and emotional health parameters, quality of life, and sleep quality. Secondary outcomes focus on feasibility, adherence, and participant satisfaction. This research addresses the gap in physical activity guidelines for pregnant individuals on bed rest and explores the potential benefits of exercise to improve maternal well-being and postpartum recovery.