Things I've learned on bed rest ;-)

[myra]

I've been on bed rest for 2 weeks now, the last 11 days in the hospital. I'll be here til baby is born. Sitting in a hospital bed ALL day is VERY boring...but here's a humorous take on some tips & things I've learned so far. Feel free to add your own tips from home or hospital bed rest- silly or serious.

* Don't multi-task. There's already not enough to do to fill up the day, so eat breakfast without the TV on. You can catch up on the news afterwards.

* If I might end up wanting jello during the day, it gets re-stocked in the patient fridge at about 7am and I should pick it up shortly afterwards (lucky me, its only 5 steps from my room) and store in my fridge. Those 6 jello cups are a hot commodity here! If you like gelatinous custard though, you're in luck. You could probably have all 6 cups to yourself every day.

* If baby acts up and you need to be sent down to the labor and delivery floor for monitoring, guaranteed it will happen before lunch (3 times in past week!). You'll be down there for a while, and you won't be able to eat. So, eat protein-filled breakfasts. Don't watch the Food Network on TV-you'll just torture yourself. And as soon as you get the ok to be transferred back upstairs, pick up the phone and place your very belated lunch order from the labor floor so it will arrive to your room shortly after you do.

* Don't watch re-runs of Seinfeld or Friends (can't believe they are still on the air!). No matter how much you may have liked them in the past, watching them now will only make you feel desperate and that much more bored.

* If you are eventually lucky enough to get wheelchair privileges (day 8 for me!!), you'll feel like you've won a gold medal. You'll probably feel the need to tell everyone you know, maybe even random people like the housekeeping staff that cleans your room every day. Find out if there is an outdoor patio in the hospital where OH can take you when visiting- fresh air makes a huge difference, even if you only get a half hour of it!

That's it for now...I'm sure I'll have more down the line

 

[Pink_Sparkle]

Thanks for posting! I was in hospital for one week after my rescue stitch and that was hard!! Im now at home on strict bedrest im glad to have my trashy tv shows back - I didnt have a tv in the hospital!

You are doing amazingly well keeping your baby cooking, especially after the prom! I hope we can follow suit....Im anxiously counting down the days till im 24 weeks - 13 days to go!!!

Mmmmmm jello....youve put me in the mood and we have none here lol xx

 

[25weeker]

You's both have my full sympathy. I was in hospital on bed rest for a month last time. I wasn't allowed out of bed except to use the bathroom and all my showers had to be taken sitting down. It meant every morning I had lovely cold toast for breakfast by the time they brought it into me.

I like reading so that kept me sane but also because me and my oh were over 300 miles from home so he kept me company every day. To this day I have no idea what we talked about considering his routine was get up come to visit me for about 12 hours then go back to the hotel to sleep! I do remember at one point scraping the barrel and watching murder she wrote

 

[wishing4bub#3]

I took up scrap booking and made it about my positive feelings and hope for bub.

I took time off from the tv and read novels. I highly recommend Tuesdays with morrie. It honestly helped me stay focused.

Photography everything. Good meals, bad meals the different coloured jello. I have a million photos of my feet in bizzare places.

Keep a journal. I had two one for bub and one for me. My one is more the negative side and I just needed to vent to someone and I did not want hubby to know I was struggling so much.

Limit guests to particular days I had Monday, Wednesday Nd Fridays as visiting days the weekends were for my kids only.

Going out in the wheel chair or walking when you get that privilege back and getting a coffee, tea or hot chocolate makes the day go faster.

Enjoy not having to make your bed.

Crying in the shower is amazing.

You will be surprised how well you get to know the staff and you will miss them when you are gone.

Planning bubs name day, christening or welcome home party is helpful. I did go to a dark place and I started planning a funeral in my head.

When ticking your goals off make a little ceremony out of it but be aware you will one day be caught doing so.

Write a list of what you have in your room and where it is and stick it on the cupboards so if bub makes an early arrival the staff know what to pack.

Decorate your area with pictures, cards and positive sayings. A new one for everyday.

If the hospital had support groups go. It's nice to know you are not alone.

Food from home can help heal the I miss home struggle.

An online support group specific to your situation.

Researching what happens if bub is born now at every week helped me too.

That's what 5 and a half weeks in hospital taught me and is making home rest so easy.