Bed rest with or without hospitalization for hypertension during pregnancy
RHL practical aspects by Oladapo OT
FIRST CONTACT (PRIMARY CARE LEVEL)
All cases of hypertension in pregnancy should ideally be referred from this level to a referral hospital for further management. However, in situation where this is not feasible as a result of local or patient-related circumstances, bed rest in hospital or at home, should not be recommended as the primary treatment for hypertension in pregnant women.
REFERRAL HOSPITAL (SECONDARY CARE) LEVEL
Bed rest in the hospital, or at home, should not be routinely recommended for women with mild hypertension (<110 mm Hg diastolic pressure, with or without proteinuria) during pregnancy.
AT HOME OR IN THE COMMUNITY
Not applicable.
This document should be cited as: Oladapo OT. Bed rest with or without hospitalization for hypertension during pregnancy: RHL practical aspects (last revised: 15 December 2006). The WHO Reproductive Health Library; Geneva: World Health Organization.