Bedrest

Why would a doctor prescribe bedrest?

Bedrest During Pregnancy
Bedrest is a common practice during pregnancy to help control or prevent some pregnancy complications. Bedrest can differ from woman to woman. Some conditions require longer bedrest than others. The amount of bedrest may range from simple resting at home to full bedrest and monitoring in a hospital. Occasionally, doctors will recommend bedrest for the duration of a woman's pregnancy. It is hard to be excited when you need to be getting things ready for the new baby and can't because of bedrest. Bedrest may prevent you from going to work or taking care of daily tasks at home. It is normal and common to be worried about your health and your baby's health. With careful monitoring and doctor supervision, your bedrest should help prevent any possible complications.

Try to greet each day with a smile, follow a routine and make the best of your time. The day can seem lengthy and boring if you do not have anything to keep you occupied. Here are some ideas to help you get through the day:

Take a brief shower or bath-ask your doctor first
If possible, put on regular clothes
Eat three balanced meals and two snacks
Engage in activities
Take a short nap

You need to keep a few things near you during the day. Bedrest will lose its benefit if you continuously have to get up to get needed items. If you need something that you do not have, ask for help:

a few comfortable clothes or robes/gowns
bras and underwear
slippers
telephone and phone numbers
paper, pencils, and address book.
any necessary medications
watch or clockdeodorant, shampoo, makeup, etc.
brush,comb and mirror
magazines, books, puzzles, calendar, and craft projects
laptop computer, if possible

Things To Do While On Bedrest:

Small craft items. If you are in the hospital, they may have an activities therapist that can visit you. If your hospital does not offer this service, ask family members of friends to bring you something that interests you.
Read. Most hospitals have libraries that you can borrow books from. Use your time in the hospital to finish up a book that you have been wanting to read. Have friends or family bring you parenting and baby magazines, or other magazines that you like.
Mail. Use this time to write to friends and family that you have not talked to in awhile. Put your cards and letters up in your room. Encourage friends and family to use an email service if your hospital offers it.
Keep a journal. More than likely, you will forget details of your pregnancy. Write down your feelings, thoughts and anything special that occurs. Work in the baby's book.
Music/movies: Many hospitals have a patient library that you can borrow from. Ask if the patient library has cassette tapes, videos and VCR's to reserve. Your nurse may be able to provide you with educational videos about birth, pregnancy and premature babies.
Learn: Ask your nurse for information about being on bedrest. If there is a particular reason for your bedrest, ask to see literature on that subject.
Crosswords puzzles and other brain teasers: These can be a fun, challenging way of passing away the hours.
Organize photo albums, recipe books, update address books, etc..

Family And Friends Can Help:

Calling your room throughout the week to see how you are and if you need anything.
Helping in the house with chores, cooking, paying bills, and childcare.
Visitation is an important way that friends or family can help you. You won't feel so lonely if you have visitors from time to time.

Your Other Children:

As long as your children are not sick, they should visit you as often as possible. When they can not visit, talk to them on the phone.
Keep pictures of your children near your bed. You may want to post pictures they have drawn for you also.
Encourage your children to talk about how they feel. It is hard having mom out of the picture for awhile.
If on bedrest at home, you should have someone that can help out with the children and household duties.

It is important that you help the nurses and doctors help you. They will probably want you to keep track of baby's movements, contractions and any changes in how you physically feel. You should be recording how much you drink and eat. If you are not catheterized, you should also keep track of your urine output. Watch for signs of illness and notify your nurse or doctor if you are not feeling well.

Your doctor may prescribe bed est for any number of reasons. Normally he or she has found a complication that bedrest will help with. It is in the best interest of you and your growing baby to cooperate with the doctor's decision and rest to ensure a healthy pregnancy. If you are experiencing high blood pressure, vaginal bleeding, premature labor, poor fetal movement or have gestational diabetes you may be a candidate for bedrest. Bedrest may also help you if you are having multiples or have a history of pregnancy loss, stillbirth or premature birth. An incompetent cervix, early dilation and any type of placenta problem may also require bedrest.

In most cases, you will be asked to sleep or rest on your side, preferably the left side, with your knees or hips bent. The best position for bedrest will depend on your situation and what complication your healthcare provider is trying to address or prevent. You may be asked to lie on your back while being propped up with pillows or lying on your back with your hips or legs elevated higher than your shoulders.

Bedrest Discomforts
Even though you are resting in the bed, you will probably experiene some discomforts. Because you are going to be lying down for long periods of time, bedrest will likely cause your muscles to loose tone and make some of your joints ache. Changing from side to side will help stimulate your muscles and relieve pressure. Your blood circulation will also be poor and if your doctor agrees, mild exercise would ensure better circulation. Turning your feet and arms in circles, pressing your hands and feet against the bed, tensing or tightening your arms and leg muscles and massages can help relieve some discomfort. If your doctor allows, a nice bath may do the trick as well.

You should ask your doctor if you have any questions about what exactly bedrest means. Some women can do light activities, while others can not. Some activities that many women question are: cooking, light chores, walking, bathing, driving, exercise and sexual intercourse. It is very important that you not overdo your activities.

There are many support groups that you can be involved in even when you are on bedrest. If you belong to a church, see if they can arrange for a weekly prayer and communion visit. Take advantage of the many internet sites that offer support and advice for other women who are also on bedrest. If you are in the hospital, ask your nurse if there are any programs set up for women to gather and share their feelings and friendship with one another.

Comments: Bedrest

Comments 76 to 99 of about 199.
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Mommyof2Kidos - 233 days ago.
Ruth- I agree with Watermelon. If you look at how far you have to go you will never recognize how far you've come. This is my 2nd pregnancy on bedrest and I learned the hard way that you must stay positive and focus on the real reason why you're on bedrest (to get your baby here safe). I won't lie and say it will be easy, but I can say that if you follow your Dr's orders you may get an 'early release'. LOL Well, I'm here for you as well so feel free to send me a message if you have questions or just need to vent. I wish you the very best!

monstamama - 233 days ago.
ruth- welcome! All the ladies here are a great support and make bed rest a little more tolerable. I highly recommend Sidelines for ideas on how to stay sane. Also, STOP looking forward at time...start looking at how far you've come! If I can offer any advice or just be someone to listen, message me anytime! I wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy.

RuthGrounded - 233 days ago.
Hello! I am new to this forum and unfortunately on bed rest. I was put on bed rest 5 weeks ago due to preterm labor and shortening cervix. I am now 26w 1d, DD 7/9. As I'm sure most of you will agree...bed rest stinks! This is my first pregnancy and I never in a million years imagined it to be like this. Anyway, it is comforting to know there are others out ther (although I would not wish this upon anyone). I look forward to keeping my sanity with you all....

monstamama - 241 days ago.
You poor thing! What a jerk! I do have to admit I went through a period of time when I thought I ws going to kill my husband...but it was different than what you are describing. HE really needs to step up to the plate and quit being so lazy. Sounds like you may not be able to work like you were and he is going to have to make up the slack. It doesn't sound like he is much help anyway...maybe he needs to be reminded how lucky he is to have you. I'm really sorry though. There is no easy answer. Wish you the best of luck and for you to know you deserve way more than he is giving you.

Bab.E.Blue - 241 days ago.
So i am now 21 weeks this is going to be my 3rd baby i have 2 girls Emily 4 and Lillian will be 3 in June this baby is going to be a boy due august 1st so i have already been told too take 2 weeks off from work then i get the ok to go back ive been working for almost 3 weeks and now ive been told i need to completely stop work and soon i may be going on bed rest this is not my first go around i was on bed rest with my 2nd baby due to placenta previa now this baby is just causing me extreme pain i cant even stand for any amount of time longer than 15 min i feel as if my hips are going to disintegrate into a thousand pieces mostly the right when i am standing and even when im laying down i have to be on my back most of the time but then i of course worry that my baby is not getting enough blood or oxygen or anything because im laying on my back but you know im starting to think all of this is not that bad compared to my mind going crazy i really wish i could just run away sometimes but seeing as how i cant even stand it would be a little hard for me too run lol i have a fiance that is driving me absolutely insane it may just be me i don't know i have nobody else to give me their opinion on it but to start off with he is only working part time maybe 4 hours a night he works for ups so too him it is extremely hard work i guess he works from 4am to 9am and sleeps while im at work and my kids are in school when i get home from work i cook and clean and deal with the kids while he does nothing but get on to the kids bout things they are doing wrong or what not and now that i cant work its almost as if he doesn't even care about how we are going to make it on his little income that he we get weekly i make the majority of money not including all the state benefits im getting for my children he helps around the house maybe 1 day a week only when he knows im really pissed off and im not speaking to him i have to ask him a thousand times to do anything he never comforts me or ask how im feeling and any time i say anything he just thinks im complaining and tries to make it out like he is hurting worse or working harder than i am he is always trying to out do me on everything and if i ask him to rub my legs cuz they are killing me he says he is tired or just ignores me i spend alot nights on the couch just cuz i don't even want to be round him and his smart ass mouth im really starting to think that perhaps the only reason he is with me is because im pregnant i mean damn he gets more sleep than anybody in the house im starting to become very resentful towards him and any time i try to say anything to him he just turns it round and tries to make me feel guilty by saying things like 'im so sorry im such a piece of shit i guess i just shouldn't be with anybody i deserve to be all bye my self ' im starting to wonder why he doesn't get to see his son from his previous g/f i dont know im goin crazy im starting to get paranoid thinking he is seeing somebody while im work and perhaps that's is the reason he is so tired and just not interested in me anymore i don't know can somebody please give me some input to this because i drive my self insane and sorry for babbling i just don't have anybody else to talk to bout this situation

tb838 - 243 days ago.
Hello ladies--I haven't been here since October, but I am now back. I have been having contractions and my LO continues to be non-reactive during her NSTs. She looks great during her bio-physical profiles though. My doctor has chosen to give me NSTs twice a week and bio-physical profiles depending on the results. I am on bed rest and two medications to help control contractions. At 33wks, my doctor wants to keep her in for at least another two weeks.

monstamama - 245 days ago.
Well, I was off bed rest for one day and started having contractions. Boo. I went to the hospital for a NST and they checked my cervix. Contractions were about every 3-4 minutes, spotting, cervix dialated to one, very soft and bub's head was 'right there'. They sent me home and said if anything changes or my water breaks that I am probably going into labor. Well, that was Wednesday and it is Monday so I think that worked itself out, thank GOD! =) I am still having contractions but not like that and no more spotting. Wish you all luck!

Mommyof2Kidos - 251 days ago.
Does anybody on bedrest have trouble walking yet? I'm 33wks and my legs feel so heavy, like they are not even mine anymore.

Mommyof2Kidos - 252 days ago.
Singlemomtobe- Thanks for your post. Just a few days ago I was on here complaining about my husband spending time away from home. Knowing your situation I feel like a butt head for saying anything. What I can say is.... I was a single mom for 6yrs. It was not easy, but my son and I made it! I learned quickly to depend on myself, but to accept help if it was offered to me. I surrounded myself with people that were positive, loving and caring. I made a commitment to my son before he was born, while I sat in a hospital bed for 5wks alone.... that I would not let him down. Prayer and meditation helped for me, but you have to find an inner peace that will help you through this rough season in your life. I have been through it so I know. Like completnme said...you are not alone. If you need to talk we're here for you. You can do it! Warm wishes!

completnme - 253 days ago.
Dang singlemomtobe-kudos for you sticking in there,i hate that the storm hits and you have to deal with pregnancy too,but it wouldnt be a testimony without the test right-We are your company-yea we r nly cyberfriends but most ppl on here chat on the phone and IM,We probably cant do much for the dogs,cuz we are 'serving our sentence too' but..i can....hmmm yea i dont know that answer yet,but point being-bedrest fam' and IC fam' which i believe is sooo awesome is here for you missy.so let the other things in life have ur stress but not being lonely k.

monstamama - 253 days ago.
SINGLEMOM- I am really sad to hear you are going through such a tough time with your pregnancy. I have my husband and he has been a saint and I still find it terribly difficult sometimes, I can't even imagine what you must be going through! I have a few tips if you want to hear them..just let me know, I'd be happy to share. There are a few support groups, such as Sidelines, that are good for tips and suggestions to help you stay sane. I'm here if you are ever bored or would like someone to talk to. I wish you the best of luck. Thanks for putting your situation in perspective, too. I'm sure I take my help for granted. Hang in there, baby!

singlemomtobe - 253 days ago.
I have been n bed rest aka house arrest since Feb 18. I thought being on pelvic rest was bad since November. This is prison. You are not alone. People do not get how bad it is. Your muscles lose tone and everything starts to hurts, your mind goes crazy, acid reflux if you are unlucky like me acts up more more more when you lay down. The only good part you can nap, where pj's and my baby boy kicks more when lay. But to think my high risk pregnancy would really be like this... there was no prep for. My husband and I are divorcing, I will be raising him on my own in every sense. I do not have many people helping me physically now. Friends said they would. Yes phone calls help. But I am alone most of day and sometimes for days. Me and my 3 dogs to care for, one has kidney disease. It is hard and emotionally I want to die sometimes. My mom moved to her retirement house to help. But she is not here much. My house is falling apart. And even if someone came to clean it is not the same as I would do. I will never be prepared for a baby on my own since I cannot prepare before he comes now. I used to say I wanted to sleep when I worked 8-10 hrs.Now I sleep late and stay up late and it is horrible. I feel for you all. I know the daily tears all to well. Everything loses it appeal after a day, week, month. I am 26 weeks now, thank gosh since this when I was told I had to keep him in. I have a cerclage to make it more unfun. Not how I pictured pregnancy. And my advice I have gained ALOT on bedrest so be careful or just embrace. For those who say there is someone at home who helps. Take from me who is alone. You are lucky to have that on bedrest and in pregnancy. Be grateful. It is something people in my place would give anything for some days. Just the company.

kingsmommii - 253 days ago.
Dont get me started on MIL's and their 'insight' on things...myy MIL is not sympatheic at all...if u ask her im on hopital bedrest to be lazy and treated like a princess!! ugh!

Joshs wife - 253 days ago.
well my husband is finally on his way home.The army let him come home.I still have my placenta abruption and now i have to have a laproscopic sugery to remove my appendix.UHHHH im so tired of bedrest

booandaidansmommy - 254 days ago.
I just got put on bedrest, at home. Only until my next appointment where my Dr. will reassess, but no out of town travel for me. I told my MIL about this, and she says. 'Oh is this your judgment call or Doctor's orders??' I mean what the heck, I would not wish this on anyone. I'd rather have a complication free pregnancy. I can't believe she said that, as if I would do this to myself.

Mommyof2Kidos - 254 days ago.
I need to vent..... The last couple of days my husband has been going golfing with his buddies. I get so upset (although I try hard not to show it). The truth is my husband deserves a break. He waits on me hand and foot. He comes home practically every afternoon on his lunch break to check on me and make sure I have something to eat. Lately, I have not been the easiest person to live with. I have never been a jealous person, and I know my husband needs a break but I feel left out because I have to lay here in bed all day. I know he can sense my tension and it's not fair to him. Does anyone have any advice for me? I could really use the help.

kingsmommii - 254 days ago.
Jena- I agree with bedrest...my prego friends envy me and im like we can switch places anytime...they have problem free pregnancies and think i got the easy way out but its the total opposite...if what i said offended u im sorry..

Mommyof2Kidos - 255 days ago.
Jena- Don't take it personal. Remember we're all hormonal here. Moms that are put on bed rest are envied at times by people that don't quite understand the restrictions we are placed under. I'm sure no one was intentionally trying to be 'rude' in their response, they were just venting. My husband thought it was cool until he saw what it started to do to me mentally. I wish you a healthy pregnancy!

twins!! - 256 days ago.
Jena ~ take me with u to ur island. lol.

jenakatessa - 256 days ago.
holy cow....i didnt expect such a rude response. This is my first pregnancy and i didnt quite understand what bed rest was until i read more about it...WHICH WAS AFTER i wrote what ai wrote. Ill put it in other words than...I WISH I WAS ON BEDREST....on a tropical island with hot men, and beautiful non alcolholic bevereages, to be pampered and have someone listen to me and undersand me without being snapped by preditors

twins!! - 257 days ago.
pdenney my doctor suggested that i try to breathe into paper bag cause i might be hyperventalating, i did it and it helped some. you may want to try that. he says it lowers ur PH. if you still feel it i would call the doc and tell em what ur feeling cause it may not be normal and they may have to check u out.

pdenney - 257 days ago.
Question... This is my first pregnancy. I'm 8wks and i've been on bedrest for 2wks due to a bloodclot in my uterus. I'm currently taking progesterone injections, and I've been having heart palpitations and can't seem to catch my breath. The heart palpitations are something that I normally have, but they are currently more pronounced and bothersome. Has anyone else had this problem?

twins!! - 258 days ago.
yeah bedrest sounds lovely but then when ur on it its hell...been on it for 4 days and im not feeling it already.

kingsmommii - 258 days ago.
Watermelon-AMEN...bedrest feels like DEATH ROW....i wouldnt wish it on my enemy..im on week 12 of bedrest...hospital bedrest at that..somebody shoot me!!! Bedrest is not...I REPEAT IS NOT all roses and daisies!!!

Joshs wife - 259 days ago.
AMEN girl.I wouldnt wish bedrest on ANYONE.Im only 14 weeks and I have it the rest of my time due to placenta abruption.IT SUX.My husband is deployed and I have a 14 month old.ITS SO HARD. Any lil thing that hurts or feels weird just a lil bit will freak you out so bad too.Thank god they are sending him home soon but Ill still miss him being home finally and missing out on everything else so PLEASE dont wish you were told to go on bedrest.