The evolution of bed rest as a clinical intervention.

Bed rest as a therapy can be traced back to Hippocrates and has been used for many types of illnesses since then. It is still commonly used as an intervention in pregnancy despite known physiological and psychological side effects. Some historical and social reasons why nurses and other health care providers are slow to change practice are provided. Evidence from randomized trials is urgently needed to support or refute the use of bed rest in pregnancy.