Bed rest was one of the hardest things I’ve been through in my life. Not because I’m whiny and bored (ok, maybe a little) or one of those people who claim to need physical activity to maintain sanity. No, I’m actually quite content with lounging around and watching all four Twilight movies in a day.
My hospital bed rest was made exponentially more upsetting because I was leaving my 20-month-old son behind. I had barely spent a night away from him, and suddenly I was only seeing him every other day for a couple of hours. I was really depressed and I had a hard time focusing on the goal of a healthy baby girl.
Surviving Bed Rest
It seems like just a distant memory now, but still very vivid in my mind. If you’re sitting in a hospital room right now looking for some encouragement, try these tips.
Openly Accept Visitors
Make it very clear to all of your friends, family and coworkers (the ones you like) that this isn’t necessarily a time for peace and quiet and solitude. You would adore their company and they do not need to feel intrusive by stopping by. Having company is a fantastic way to break up your days and that social interaction is much needed.
Keep yourself feeling productive and your brain engaged. I spent a lot of my time on my computer working on this blog. I also wrote lots of updates on what was happening with my pregnancy. Giving people a place to hear my story and send me encouraging messages was a gift.
I also picked out several projects and crafts I found from Pinterest, made a list of the items I needed, and had my mom or husband pick them up/bring them from home. Find something you love to do or learn something new. It sounds silly, but even a coloring book and crayons is a fun activity.
It’s obvious that you are going to get bored and it will happen fast. Daytime television is crappy and there are only so many reruns of Friends you can watch. At the hospital I stayed in, they sent someone in to help teach us how to knit. It was a sweet gesture and I was excited for a minute to learn until I realized I just didn’t have the patience for it.
I ordered a Netflix subscription (the kind where the DVD’s come in the mail) and had them delivered to me in the hospital. I chose television shows I hadn’t seen before and started with season one. I also ordered a lot of movies.
Books and magazines are really great to have around as well. You’ve got to fill your entire day from sun up to sun down, sitting in a bed, so having several different things to do is good.
If you’re trapped in the hospital for your stint on bed rest like I was, you are going to become so disgusted by the hospital food. There was only a handful of things I liked on their menu so that meant I was rotating the same four meals for lunch and dinner every day. It got old fast. Give yourself a budget or choose a day each week that you get to spoil your pregnant tummy with your favorite foods.
Take A Shower, Put On A Little Make-up
You’ve got to make yourself feel human and not like a lazy lump of coal. I had a little routine every day where I would take a shower around 10am and then sit in the bed and slowly put on make-up, dried my hair and painted my nails. Plus, it’s something to occupy your time, and you need that.
Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.
Lynne says
I was put to bed for 5 1/2 months while pregnant until my son was safely born. Every weekday, my very dearest friend would call at noon so we could “eat together” if she could not talk at that time she would call ahead so I never had to eat lunch alone.Never underestimate the simplest of kindnesses, they go a very long way!
Lori says
I was on bed rest for 4 plus weeks with my daughter. I would recommend having some comforts from home such as a cozy blanket and pillow. The bed is uncomfortable when you can only be in certain positions with a pregnant belly. Plus they just make you feel better. I also had some nice soap, shampoo, and towel for my showers. They don’t provide much for you in the hospital. Taking a shower made me feel human. Also, I preferred not having visitors just pop in whenever. There were multiple times during the day when I was poked ana prodded and I didn’t want people to be there to make us all feel awkward. Sometimes I just wanted to be alone and rest. I’m a quiet introvert so that was my preference.
Trisha says
I spent 11 LONG weeks on Hospital Bed Rest. These tips are spot on. Although I wasn’t allowed to shower daily, setting up a routine was incredibly important. Every weekday I had a plan for the day even if it was just watching certain shows at certain times. Knowing what would fill my hours made them go quicker.
My biggest tip, however, is to try your hardest to keep a positive attitude. In the end, every single day I spent in the hospital was a day, week, month less that my daughter had to spend in the NICU. It was worth every second.
Marta says
I was on bedrest during both of my pregnancies. During the first one I learned to play poker, took an audio Dutch course just because I like the melody of the language and played loads of board games.
The second time around I felt I needed some inner peace, so I began meditating and discovered that I too can be helpful around the house by doing grocery shopping online. It took a tiny bit of responsibility off my husband’s shoulders and made me feel responsible and less of a burden.
Dear Mommies, it’s worth it! Think of it this way, never again will you be able to lay in bed all day and do ‘nothing’:)
Jennifer says
These tips are great ! Funny because I could have very well have written this ! My exact routine, right down to the “Friends” reruns ! (I had the complete box set, lol ). Seems so long ago now, but I thought that it was going to last forever !
Shrek says
If you are fortunate enough to be put on bedrest with limited activity, take advantage of that. Ask your doctor how much you’re allowed to do. I got diagnosed with preeclampsia with severe features so they have me in the hospital for 8 weeks. I requested mobile massage, mobile facials and pedicures! Keeping blood pressure low is my primary focus and what better what to do that than to pamper yourself 😬 I understand that those on complete bedrest will not be able to do that, but ask your doctor how much can you do. They offer prenatal massage at my hospital. Crafts! I ordered a beginners crochet set. Time to YouTube and learn something new. Also, as friends and family ask you what they can bring, don’t feel shy. If there was a time you needed support, this is the time. I’ve had friends bring me games, puzzles, fresh fruit, take out or a home cooked meal cause hospital food gets old fast! Organize your room for you TEMPORARY stay! I stress temporary. Get a diffuser with some lavender oil. Put up decorations if you’d like. Get a cute rug!
My most relevant advice to anyone going through different levels of this situation is do your best to reframe the situation. You are not to blame. You are not missing out on life (though I know it feels that way and I even have to remind myself this repeatedly). You are giving your sweet baby the best chance it can have. You are being an incredible and strong mother. Everyday your precious child is inside of you is 2-3 days less in the NICU. Again, you are not missing life. You are literally creating it. That is absolutely beautiful and you are beautiful and so strong. Accept support from your friends and do what you need to do to make it through the otherside.
Best of luck to all those reading this post.