title: Women's experience of hospitalized bed rest during high-risk pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the lived experience of the hospitalized pregnant woman on bed rest.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative, phenomenological design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three high-risk antepartum units in the midwestern United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-selected, convenience sample of 11 high-risk pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phenomenological study using thematic analysis of completed handwritten journals and/or online blogs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women described the battles that they fought each day for the lives of their unborn children. Using an imagery of war, three categories emerged: (a) the war within, (b) fighting each battle, and (c) bringing in reinforcements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women experience many different emotions and stressors during restricted bed rest. A nurse's understanding of this experience is essential to provide adequate care and coping strategies for women at this time.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA. lorirubarth@creighton.edu
authors.forename: Lori Baas
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Rubarth
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Schoening
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cosimano
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sandhurst
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001510:Bed Rest / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology; D015146:Midwestern United States; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*