What is the difference between relative rest and absolute rest?

There are certain circumstances in which the specialist may instruct the pregnant woman to rest. However, there are several types of rest, depending on the activities restricted to the woman:

• Relative rest. The woman has limited physical activity and must rest, but can do some tasks that do not involve any physical effort.
• Absolute rest. The pregnant woman is restricted in any activity and must remain lying in bed, getting up only when she needs to go to the bathroom.

Therefore, it is important that the pregnant woman knows to what extent she should restrict her usual activities and should discuss this with the specialist.