Productive Bed Rest
I started spotting the following day after an OB confirmed my pregnancy. And then, before I had time to really digest everything that’s happening, I was ordered to go on bed rest.And it turned out, I would be on bed rest for three months.
That is a lot to ask from an active woman who loves the outdoors, one who especially loved climbing mountains and jumping off bridges into rivers. Personally, I think it is one of the hardest things for a pregnant woman, the realization that her body isn’t hers anymore, at least for the time being.
But one’s got to do what one’s got to do. Everything to keep the baby safe, after all. So my hubs and I camped on our living room so i’d be close to the TV, the bathroom, the computer and everything else. Exchanging notes with fellow Moms who were put on bedrest, here is how we made bed rest work for us:
1. We SLEPT a lot! This went a long way in relaxing us and rejuvenating us. We relished that we need not be slaves to alarm clocks anymore (except to remind us of pre-natal vitamins and uterine relaxant drugs we had to take).
2. We CATALOGED and ORGANIZED. It was the perfect time to organize the wedding pictures and bills and what-have-you’s that have piled up. It whiled the hours away and resulted in less clutter in drawers and cabinets.
3. We WATCHED TV. Loads of it. We didn’t just embrace all of Oprah and Ellen and Tyra, we also made room for all the reality shows we could find. We caught up on our showbiz gossip. We followed The Amazing Race and American Idol. Some of us even checked out the cartoons kids are watching now, and all the documentaries at National Geographic and Discovery Channel. Some of us also bought complete seasons of favorite soaps and became Grey’s Anatomy, Heroes, Desperate Housewives, etc. fans overnight. I personally watched all of FRIENDS’ episodes twice.
4. We READ a lot. I read all Harry Potter books at least twice. I re-read all my chick-lit novels and had my husband buy more. We read pregnancy books and breastfeeding books and parenting books. We read nursery rhymes out loud. Some of us chose an author and attempted to read all his works (I chose Mark Twain).
5. We took up NEW and PRODUCTIVE HOBBIES. I digiscrapped. Some took up scrapbooking with fervor. Some took up knitting. Some took up cross-stitching. Maybe you can even dabble in board games or video games (depending on the terms of your bed rest, of course).
6. We turned to the INTERNET. We did a lot of research online, a lot of shopping too! We also found support and comfort from fellow Moms who went through, or are undergoing, the same confinement.
7. We ACCEPTED help and the situation. We delegated tasks even. Someone else had to take care of the dog, the fish and the chores. Daddy had to take care of the other kids and Mommy too. To make it easier for the household, however, we also made sure we had our box or basket near the bed containing things we might need or want during the day, so we need not keep calling someone for help. We also took it upon ourselves to balance the checkbook, monitor the cashflow, and list up the groceries. We also scheduled visits from friends so we wouldn’t be deprived of socialization and adult company.
8. We TALKED to our significant others, family members and friends. We shared our feelings, we cried over shoulders, we discussed our fears.
9. We SKIPPED WORK and other STRESSORS. Aside from the very occasional call to direct a subordinate, tell someone where the file is, update the boss on our progress (especially if the bed rest was going to take longer), we all made sure we avoided doing anything related to work. That way, we didn’t dwell too much on which projects were left unfinished. We also let someone else take care of other stressors like an ailing family member. And hard as it was, we tried not to worry about the finances for the time being (while also curbing some cravings and shopping itch).
10. We FOCUSED ON THE GOAL which is a safe pregnancy. We found that when you know your priorities, it is easier to let go of everything else and make the necessary sacrifices and compromises.
Though bed rest is not a proven remedy for pregnancy complications, it has been proven to take pressure off the cervix and reduce strain on your heart, thus improving blood flow to the kidneys which helps eliminate excess fluids. Bed rest also increases circulation to the uterus and the placenta, facilitating the baby’s growth. Most of all, it minimizes the level of stress hormones in the bloodstream that can trigger contractions.
So if you’re like me and your OB issues instructions for you to get some bed rest, don’t panic! And don’t think you’re going to go insane (we didn’t!).
Remember, it can actually be the greatest opportunity to prepare for the baby too.
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Science-mom says...
I did 1,4,7,8, 9 and 10. Especially 10. I had cervix insufficienty at week 25 while carrying my twins and had to bedrest till my CS at week 35. People would tell me, we doubt whether you can hold them inside that long. Well, I proved them wrong and managed to keep them in till week 35 when my OB said “It`s time.” Luv this post.
Delisyus says...
Weirdly enough, eventhough I was spotting for months, my cervix remained closed the whole time… even when I hit my 40th week, my cervix wouldn’t budge and I had to get a CS too!
Just goes to show that every pregnancy is different huh?
And i’m so happy for you that you got to keep them in that long!
JC says...
I am 28 weeks pregnant, and I have been on bedrest for 1 month now, and I think I have done everything on your list except the first one. I cannot sleep during the day, and I am still trying to keep my body on a normal sleep schedule at night. I am trying to make the best of it though! I have started a blog, and I recently have started doing little bit of shopping online, which is fun
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Kelly says...
Today is Day #1 for me on bed rest. I’m 24 weeks along and have been diagnosed with cervical shortening. This post was really encouraging – glad to hear that there is hope of keeping her in the womb until she’s full term and that I won’t lose my mind while doing so!
oby says...
I’m 25wks5days with twins and currently on bedrest since 24wks due to shortened cervix. Staying in bed all day long is so fustrating, but I’m believing God to see me thru till 36 wks. I’ve been encouraged by the success stories from all the moms. Wil keep in topuch