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 151 to 174 of about 199.
Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next

SupermomPj - 358 days ago.
i have been on bedrest now for 12 days i am looking at another 5 for sure. i know this is nothing compared to most of you ladies, and i wanted to say KUDOS to you. i am having such a hard time not doing anything. i am so active in my three dd lives that i can't just sit back and watch. but i have a question. the past 5 days i have been having sort of anxiety attacks. my legs get a weird senstaion in them like they are numb yet i need to move now! and my heart feels like it is going to jump out of my chest. yesterday i felt this way for over 3 hours and i couldn't sleep to save my life. has anyone experienced this? if so is there something i can do to help it?

KayandRysMoM - 359 days ago.
Hello ladies. I am currently 31w 3 days preggo with my 2nd dd. First pregnancy was perfect gave birth 12 days late to a healthy girl. With this one I was put on bedrest at 21 weeks due to a short cervix. My cervix is at about 2.8 now and has been for about 6 weeks. My dr doesn't know if this is just normal since I had my dd#1 at term. They didn't check my cervix with her. Im hoping to be off of bedrest by 34 weeks. I haven't had any preterm labor or other issue thankfully!

elliel - 359 days ago.
Rahamsw - seems like you have suprised them with every extra week so heres hoping you continue to do so! What sort of exercises do they have you doing?

elliel - 360 days ago.
Has anyone tried any bedrest fitness DVD's they could recommend?

elliel - 360 days ago.
That's wonderful news. So you were home for thanksgiving? (i'm in the UK) but I know it's a massive celebration over there. You really haven't got long to go have you? Is it right that 36 weeks is term for twins? How exciting!

elliel - 362 days ago.
Rahomsw - it's good to hear it doesn't make it unbearable! Is anyone else starting to feeling really weak? I had to do a dr visit on Friday - all I had to do was get a taxi there and walk around a bit but it absolutely tired me out and I was out of breath. My blood pressure was also high but that's not suprising as I'm not used to moving about! Does anyone know how long it takes to get back to normal? I am starting to panic that I won't be strong enough to go through normal labour!

elliel - 363 days ago.
Ladies - apparently my little one is facing the wrong way (not breach just facing outwards)....no big deal at the moment as she has time to turn around but if she doesn't it can make labour longer and more painful. My midwife explained that this was most likely because I often lie on my back while on bed rest. She said that I must try and lie on my side more and that will encourage the baby to face the right way! I just thought I'd mention it in case you were experiencing the same.

elliel - 364 days ago.
dandunam - thanks for the motivation...it's getting pretty tough for all of us I think - but success stories help keep the end goal in sight

elliel - 364 days ago.
rahomsw - me too! I'm taking the baby to the hairdresser with me as soon as possible. I've had grey streaks since I was 21 and always dyed them. So it has been a horrendous shock to see just how grey I am after no dye for 3 months - urghh...I look like a witch. My poor dh. I had a hospital visit last week and decided to disguise my normally ashen and tired face with some mascara and a bit of lipstick. He couldn't believe it - he kept going on about how lovely I looked. I must look like such a drudge the rest of the time but it is hard to get the momentum to do anything when for 95% of the time you are completely alone!

dandunam - 364 days ago.
Hi ladies, I went into preterm labor at 31 weeks+2,....did the magnesium sulfate 3 days and had dilated to 3cm before they stopped my active labor. Stayed on hospital bedrest with the terb pump for 2 weeks. Went home for 1.5 days and right back to hospital. Body got resistant to terb pump, went into active labor and dilated to 4cm, so did another magnesium sulfate round (ahhhhh) and spent another 3.5 weeks on hospital bedrest. Went off the terb pump two days before 37 weeks....and delivered healthy 8lbs baby boy at exactly 37 weeks!!! It is soooooooooo worth it, and all strain is forgotten once you hold your baby in your arms!!! Same goes for the family that suffered with you....my kids were 'hating' their little brother for putting me in the hospital and had not a good word left for him.....now they are the most doting big sisters he could ask for!!!! They too forgot the 6 weeks of separation and chaos the moment they laid eyes on their little brother!!! Hang in there ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every day you keep the little one inside you is precious!!!!!!!

elliel - 364 days ago.
Rahomsw - I'm with you on that. I'm so fed up of this. I'm booking appointments for my dh to go and look at travel systems for the baby and I can't believe I can't even do some thing as simple as that. Plus it's getting so uncomfortable isn't it!! URghh

elliel - 365 days ago.
firsttime - well done - you are doing so well. I seem to recall you are past 28 weeks as well which is so amazing....

firsttime - 366 days ago.
Hey ladies! Hope everyone is hanging in there and things are moving along! I am currently on 4 weeks 1 day of hospital bedrest and almost 10 weeks total for bedrest....I just feel sooo blessed right now to still be pregnant and be giving my little daughter a chance at life. I know some days are hard and I'm not so positive but today is a very hopeful and positive day for me....stay strong ladies!!

elliel - 366 days ago.
Oh right - I just can't remember who it was I read a message from that was using the terb pump! It must be my mushy pregnancy brain!

elliel - 366 days ago.
rahomsw Is cowgirly on the terb pump?

elliel - 366 days ago.
SMC - I went on bedrest at 23.5 weeks for an incompetent cervix. It's worth going back and reading posts earlier in this forum as there are lots of ideas about how to cope. I personally have found getting a routine going really helps. Try not to beat yourself up if you can't concentrate like you are used to - I've found my brain really isn't working in it's normal way! I do some work in the morning, then some reading and then treat myself to watching a few hours of DVD's (I'm working my way through the 24 series which is brilliiant). Plus give some friends keys and accept any offers of visits. The time goes so much quicker if you have someone to keep you company. Also make sure you everything you need close by (I know that's obvious!). We have a mini fridge so my DH can make me sandwiches in the morning and also put fruits and yoghurts in there so I can snack during the day (Plus a big bag of crisps - so unhealthy!) I'm guessing you are having to lie on your left hand side - which must be tough. My dr. has been rubbish about giving specific guidelines about what I can and can't do - but make sure you get them if you can from your dr. Good luck - and hopefully you'll find this forum helpful - it really has helped me massively as the ladies here are very positive and supportive!

elliel - 366 days ago.
mommy2mia - try not to worry too much (I know thats easy to say!). - I spent weeks doing far too much research and for some reason always focused on the bad stuff - when there are so many good stories too - try and keep those in your mind if you can rather than the horrid stuff ...there are a couple of ladies on the 30/31 week forum called cowgirlygirl and rahamsow that I think are having the same treatment as you. They seem really nice so it might be worth you messaging them as they'll know all the ins and outs of dealing with the treb pump. Bed rest is really really hard - you get times when it feels impossible then other times where it all seems to fly by. But ladies who've been through it to term come by every so often to tell us that you forget about it all when you give birth to a healthy bub! Let us know how you get on

smc - 367 days ago.
Has anyone else been placed on bed rest by their doctor around week 23? Ultrasound revealed our baby's torso area is slow in growing due to a restricted blood flow to the baby. I'm on bed rest until our next exam in 2 weeks. Has anyone else heard of this type of situation? Did the baby arrive healthy? Or how are you coping? Any info would help.

mommy2mia - 367 days ago.
Hello. I previously frequented the incompetent cervix board and hoped that I wouldn't have to be put on bed rest, but now here I am! I am 24 wks and have been ordered to have a trebutiline pump and contraction monitor at home. I will have my cervix checked again on Tuesday and I am hoping this total bed rest can be lifted, if only slightly. I know this is all to bring a healthy child home. I am so concerned about the effects of the treb pump. I have read myself silly and now cannot seem to stop worrying. Does anyone have insight on using the treb pump?

momapril2009 - 371 days ago.
Hello all, I am on bed rest since 7 weeks and I had an ultrasound on friday to check my cervix, they said it is 3.5cms and told me that my placenta is anterior and low-lying and have to be on a very strict bed rest to avoid bleeding from the placenta........... I am scared and sticking to my bed all the time except for restroom trips........ another news is that I am feeling my baby move for the past 4 days..... I feel like bubbles or very weak kicks 2 to 3 times a day! that gives me a lot of assurance that the baby is doing well in there. Good luck to all those on bed-rest and take it easy thinking about delivering in 39 or 40th weeks!!! Think positively as bedrest helps a lot to have your babies stay inside and grow stronger.......

momapril2009 - 375 days ago.
I am on bed rest and I get to take a shower once a week as a perk for completing another week!! My DH gives me a sponge bath on bed everyday......... poor guy he's working very hard to have a healthy n a full term baby.

momapril2009 - 375 days ago.
Thanks Costia, I just signed the petition. My state got a 'F'

mrsdenney - 375 days ago.
thank you cosita. my state got an F

elliel - 375 days ago.
thanks cosita - will do

cosita - 375 days ago.
LOL I hit the add comment button a little too quickly, here is the link. I tend to get a little too excited and ahead of myself sometimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/padpetition/index.aspx?a=1&z=1&c=1&l=en