I've just been told I need to go on bedrest. What exactly does that mean?

To state the obvious, bedrest means just that: resting in bed. But each woman's situation varies. You may be assigned strict bedrest or a less limiting kind; you may spend most of your pregnancy in bed, or just the last few weeks. It depends on your pregnancy and your provider's assessment.

Whether you've been sent to bed for two weeks or six months, take some comfort in knowing you are not alone: Each year, as many as one-fifth of all pregnant women are prescribed bedrest for a variety of reasons. Though bedrest is controversial because its benefits are not backed up by much medical research, the goal of bedrest is to keep your baby inside you, developing in your uterus, for as long as possible.

Do I really have to stay in bed all day long?

It depends on your situation. For some women bedrest means 24 hours a day in bed, getting up only to use the bathroom. No trips to the kitchen to make lunch, no sitting at the desk working on the computer. Usually, in this situation, you should be lying on your side most of the day. This position takes the pressure of the heavy uterus off the vena cava, a large vein in the abdomen that returns unoxygenated blood to the heart and then to the lungs.

For others, bedrest may be less limiting: You may have rest periods in bed, but you can make occasional outings in the car, usually to the doctor, and get up to make yourself lunch or to take a brief shower.

Ask your doctor or midwife how active you're allowed to be. A list of questions for your provider can help you nail down the specifics.

How will I cope?

Slowly and patiently. Your life may feel as if it's on hold, but hang in there. There are some survival tricks and tips you can use, such as keeping a cooler with snacks and drinks near you, moving a phone and television into your room, and sticking to your normal routine as much as possible.

And follow your provider's advice. The temptations to get up will be real and ever present. A walk on a beautiful day, a dinner out with your partner, attending a child's performance at school, or even cleaning up the kitchen — all may seem legitimate reasons to get out of bed. But keep your goal of a healthy, full-term baby in mind and stay in bed as much as possible.

Does bedrest make a difference?

Maybe. Medical experts disagree about the benefits of bedrest. Some research suggests bedrest does help prolong a pregnancy, while other data show it makes no difference. While no proof exists, many healthcare providers think it's worth a try, since it isn't physically harmful (although the strain it places on your psyche can be unpleasant).