What does it mean to go on bed rest?

Minimizing gravity: Generally it means staying off your feet (getting rid of the actions of gravity).

Bed rest: Bed rest simply means that the only thing you do is stay in bed. Sometimes your provider will allow you to get up and go to the bathroom, but sometimes not. The order for bed rest is given when a persons medical condition is likely to worsen by being up and around. We try not to do bed rest very often, but it is a necessary part of some patients care. This is most common in obstetrics.