Final answer:
A gravidocardiac mother is advised bed rest to minimize oxygen consumption by the mother, which helps in avoiding additional strain on her compromised heart, ensuring appropriate oxygen supply to both the mother and the fetus.
Step-by-step explanation:
A gravidocardiac mother, who is a pregnant woman with heart disease, is advised to observe bed rest primarily to minimize oxygen consumption which can aggravate the condition of the compromised heart of the mother. During pregnancy, especially in the case of heart disease, there is an increased demand on the mother's circulatory system. Bed rest reduces the metabolic workload on the heart and ensures that both the mother and fetus can receive adequate oxygen supply without overstraining the mother's heart. This is particularly important because each contraction during labor sharply reduces the oxygenated blood flow to the fetus, necessitating a period of relaxation after each contraction to restore adequate oxygen levels to prevent fetal distress.
Moreover, the placenta plays a critical role in mediating maternal-to-fetal oxygen transport and fetal-to-maternal carbon dioxide transport. If the maternal heart is compromised, the efficiency of this system may be impacted, making it essential to minimize additional stress on the mother's cardiovascular system to ensure proper fetal development and reduce risks associated with oxygen deprivation.