Stuck on Bedrest, anyone else?

[Eeyore's Wife]

I am five months pregnant and one month into being on bed rest. This pregnancy is something of a surprise since our oldest started college this year.

I have developed Placenta Previa and am on pretty strict bed rest, as in I only get to be sitting up or on my feet for 30 minutes per day. The rest of the day I am laying down, usually on my left side.

I have arranged for the library to deliver books, books on tape, and movies. My sweet husband moved a television with DVR into my bedroom, and got me a lap top.

My bed has become "mission command" for the house. I have almost everything within arms reach and I joined an on-line support group for expecting women on bed rest.

Yet, I am starting to get stir crazy. I am trying to approach this a bit like alcoholism, "One Day at a Time." If I begin to think about four more months like this I am overwhelmed.

We did have a Disney trip in May, but also had one scheduled for this fall, at the end of my second trimester, but that has been cancelled now.

So, I was wondering if anyone out there is also on bedrest, or has been in the past. I find hanging out on the DIS to be the best way to keep my mind occupied. Did anyone else use Dis as a tool to endure bedrest? Does anyone have some interesting/bizarre/funny ways to make bedrest more tolerable?

--Eeyore's Wife

 

[MaryKLady]

I was when I pregnant with our DD5. I wasn't as bad as you, I was able to sit on the couch. But I started 6 weeks in. I hemmoraged pretty badly and my Dr. thought it would be best.

Boy do I wish I had a laptop then. I'd be on the DIS all the time!I did learn how to cook. As the travel and fod channels were the only good stuff on TV.

I didn't have a lot of visitors because EVERYONE we knew worked so I remember it being pretty lonely. I just kept thinking about WHY I was on the couch. I think that was the only thing that got me through. But it worked, DD5 is perfectly healthy and was delivered only two weeks early.

Sending hugs.

 

[bear74]

I was on bedrest with my first DD for a month so I can understand. I also work on a high risk maternity unit and have patients that are on bedrest at the hospital.

some of the things we suggest they do is maybe learn a new hobby like knitting. Since you have a computer you can do most of your registery on line. Start filling out your Christmas cards. Keep a Journal for the new baby.

 

[Patriots_Reba]

I was on bedrest from four months old . I had a lot of bleeding . I went stir crazy . I had joined Webmd pregnancy board it kept me busy . I wish I knew about the disboards at the time .

 

[kidsicet]

Hang in there!

I was on bedrest for the last 4 1/2 months of my first pregnancy. We didn't have cable TV, and the internet wasn't even around then. I just tried to take it one day at a time. If I would have known I'd be laying on my side for that long, I think I would have gone crazy. I tried to stay busy doing anything I could, like reading, crossword puzzles, hand-held video games, etc. I had to go to the doctor every week for a check-up, and a home nurse visited me each week, so those were the highlights of my exsistance. When I went to the doctor, I would stop at the library and grab all of the books I could. Near the end of my pregnancy, I would walk to the end of our block and back home, just because I worried I wouldn't have enough stamina to give birth after laying down that long. I did check it out with my doctor, and he agreed that a short distance would be okay.

It was hard to have people come over, because I felt that I couldn't be "hostess" in my condition. Plus, my DH wasn't used to grocery shopping, cleaning, etc., so the house wasn't exactly in pristine condition.

I made it through thinking about the baby. I decided I didn't want to find out the gender, as it helped me get through the months anticipating the outcome.

Good luck to you. It is worth it in the long run for your health and the baby's.

 

[beavismom]

Not on bedrest, but you might look into Netflix since you have the laptop you can watch movies streamed directly to that and I think it is fairly cheap. Best wishes!

 

[1hero2princesses]

I was only on about a week and a half at home with #1, not at all with #2, but was actually on hospital bed rest for a few weeks with my last one. Developed preclampsia at almost 34 weeks. It was hard because I had two other little ones who were 22 months and 3 1/2 at the time. I missed them a lot. I just told myself it was for the baby. Kept reminding myself I was taking care of the baby it was just starting a little early. I watched a lot of movies which I enjoyed. Gabbed on the phone. Honestly since I had two small children it was kinda of a nice rest for me. I was only allowed to go to the bathroom (which in the hospital is only a few feet away) talk about lazy. I did get sick of laying on my left side though. I also did like to read some. I would suggest order yourself some books (online) and get them delivered. Also, if you like to scrapbook get some supplies and pick out your baby announcements online. You can do pretty much anything from your laptop. Then maybe plan the babies 1st trip to Disney. We are just going on our first trip next week. My DD1 was born a month early, perfectly healthy. It will probably be a long haul but you just have to get to the goal line. Hope everything goes well.

 

[Picabo]

Oh my heart goes out to you. Bedrest is NO fun! I was on bedrest (also for placenta previa) with both my pregnancies. Thankfully, both cleared up by about 20-25wks along. The tricky part was being on bedrest with #2 when #1 was only 12mos old! haha Ya,right! (Mine was cleared up early though and you mentioned you were 5mos pregnant so my guess is that your bedrest is more critical than mine was at the time....due to the weight of the baby now, etc)

Well I had no clue about Disboards when I was pregnant so, darn, I didn't have that to occupy me. We signed up for TIVO and I taped a TON of shows...and watched alot of movies. I wasn't full bedrest, however...just partial so i was able to go downstairs once a day and I just stayed down there most of the day till DH got home.

Good luck...I know it's hard but the reward is priceless! Thankfully you're more than 1/2way done wtih your pregnancy!

Melanie

 

[Schmeck]

I was hospitalized with bedrest for 5 weeks (no shower or bathroom for a week - bedpans, ugh! Then I got to use the bathroom and a chaperoned shower for the remaining weeks), then on bedrest at home for almost two months, all with a 2 year old. Thank goodness for my mom and MIL, especially my mom, as she came to stay with us for those months at home. No internet, no computer even, just cable tv. Lots of cable tv. Lots of soap operas, baseball games, even watched golf zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... Read a lot of books too. Worst part was getting steroid shots to stimulate the baby's lung development. Nothing so much fun as getting a shot that can make you hyper-energetic, then be told to stay in bed, LOL!

My bedrest came from my water breaking at 25 weeks. I didn't go into labor though (baby was about 15 ounces at that time) the membranes sealed up, filled back up, and was I allowed to get out of bed about 2 weeks before my due date. The little booger had the nerve to be born 3 days past my due date, and I had to have my water broken by the same doctor that saw me 26weeks earlier... He had a good chuckle about that. I failed to see the humor at that moment, but now I smile as I tell the story of my now 14 year old daughter, who is just fine.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

I appreciate all the encouragement and good ideas. Since I have already been in bed for a month, I have gotten all my christmas cards done, birth announcments filled in as much as possible and addressed, as well as done enough sudoku to last a lifetime.

I am lonesome more than lacking something to do. The boards are my best "human" interaction during the day. It is encouraging to hear from other moms who have been tucked away in bed. It is a strange experience, to suddenly have all of your responsibilities ripped away and find yourself worried, scared, and alone for huge stretches of time. It is also strange, as an adult, to look forward to going to the bathroom, because it is the most exciting part of the day.

I have a new heart for the elderly who spend great deals of time alone.

Thankfully the new television season is starting, because as much as I love re-runs of the Gilmore Girls, even they are getting old.

I was just getting emotional today because I realized that I will still be pregnant, and in bed, for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I can order gifts on line, and I guess my husband can pick up a Pre-Cooked meal for our "feast" but I just love the holidays and I cannot imagine not putting up the tree, hanging the lights on the house, and displaying my Disney Manger Scene on the front yard.

I just have to keep focused on the important part, a healthy baby, and trust my husband and kids to do all the "stuff" without me.

Ah, I just realized I will have to eat Cranberry Sauce out of a jar. Ick. I love the real stuff I make.

--Eeyore's Wife

 

[1hero2princesses]

I just wanted to say that I read a few of your responses to people today and I thought they were great. So on target and thoughtful. I didn't realize it was you till I came back and re-read your post. I think you are probably doing more than you realize by helping people here on the boards!

 

[Chelley00]

I was on bedrest with 3 of 4 pregnancies. I can so feel your pain! The above posters had good suggestions. There is a website for people on bedrest that offers support/counseling etc. www.sidelines.org

 

[robsmom]

I appreciate all the encouragement and good ideas. Since I have already been in bed for a month, I have gotten all my christmas cards done,

We could start a DIS keep Eeyore's Wife busy campaign. Here's how it would work. We each go on-line to snapfish or walmart, upload our kid (s) picture and make our christmas cards. We pay for them and ship to you. We then e-mail you our Christmas list and buy you on-line postage. You can do all of our cards too

On a serious note, I too have great sympathy as I spent the last month of my pregnancy on best rest as well as a few weeks on and off during it. Also went to work with an IV in my arm for a few weeks. I was lucky because my mom came over to keep me company every 2 or 3 days. I hit bedrest the day after my baby shower so she washed everything, we took inventory and then i sent her shopping for what i needed. Make a list of things that you have been wanting to do and see how many you can do with your laptop from bed. Is there a room you want to redecorate that you can plan? Have you always wanted to learn a language? etc. I really want to learn spanish so i think if i had the time in be, I would buy rosetta stone and dedicate the next 4 months to it!!!

 

[SILLYANDI]

I have been on bedrest for most of my adult life it seems like (thank God we're done having kids!). The longest stretch was 15 weeks on TOTAL bedrest-8 of that being in the Trindelinberg (sp?) position in a hospital bed, so I understand how emotional and hard it can be.
I volunteer for a great non-profitorganization called sidelines that supports women who are on bedrest. They match you up with a buddy who had a similar experience who can totally understand what you are going through, give you tips and listen when you want to vent. I would recommend you look them up because that is what got me through my last pregnancy!

 

[lilybrooke14]

I croched a baby blanket. And some scarves as Christmas presents. Did lots of Soduku, watching TV, talking on the phone, etc. Online shopping could be fun, and if there's one around you, you could try to order your Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner from someplace like Social Suppers. They've got it set up where you can go in and make the dinners and bring them home to cook them, but you can also just call them in and have your DH go pick them up. Then, into the oven and viola. No canned cranberries. It can drag at times but DD is 2 1/2 now, and there are days that I could use a little bedrest.

 

[miprender]

This was in 2003 so I totally can sympathize with you. I was 7 months pregnant when I went for a normal ultra sound to see the sex of the baby. The tech was taking a long time and asking me all these questions. She then comes back tells me my Dr is waiting for me upstairs... still not telling me anything.

Dr tells me that I am going to the hospital now... I'm like "what I have to get back to work" but she says no way. My ambiotic fluid was real low and the size of the baby was too small. I ended up staying 6 weeks on bed rest and they decided to have me deliver the baby via Csection at 35 weeks. DD was 4lbs 1oz But everything was fine and my DD is now taller than all her friends and thankfully being my first pregnancy I was nervous about having anymore children but I had no other issues.

I just kept telling myself we had tried so long to have children that a few months on bedrest wasn't going to hurt me. It also helped that I had no other children at home.

Just hang in there and you can always tell your children when they get into trouble how much you sacrificed for them

 

[sherreis]

You're doing a great job. Just keep your eye on the prize and it will be all worth it.

With DS12 who will be DS13 on Saturday I started bedrest when I was about 9 weeks. At that level is was semi-bedrest - couldn't do much and needed to lay around. At 12 weeks when I had my cervix stitched shut I went on full bedrest. I was thankful to have bathroom privileges and I was allowed to shower every other day. At 32 weeks, I was allowed to sit at the dinner table with DH and my stepdaughters. At 34 weeks, I was allowed to increase my activity and at 35 weeks I could do whatever.

Luckily, with DS8 my bedrest wasn't as strict. It started at 6 1/2 weeks that time.

The things that I tried to do were to stick to a schedule every day. My morning would be crochet and needlepoint. After lunch would be reading and something else. Some morning I would even put on makeup. I figured that even though no body else saw me I would see me in the mirror when I walked by on all those trips to the bathroom.

You might want to ask for a Physical Therapist to see you to teach bedrest exercises. You want to keep your arms strong. Make sure you move your legs a lot to prevent blood clots from forming - a hazard of bedrest

Best of luck to you. And, I remember being thankful of the new TV season too. Made the time go much faster.

 

[MrsR]

I was on bedrest from 13 weeks till I delivered at 34 weeks.
It went like this:

13 weeks, put on strict bedrest at home due to cervix shortening.
15 weeks cerclage placed, still on strict bedrest at home, I was allowed 1 shower a week and had to lay in bed all day.
25 weeks, admitted to the hospital for preterm labor. Put on Magnesium and terbutiline to stop contractions. NEVER once got off the hospital bed for 47 days. EVER! I used a bedpan and all. I even layed there and rarely ever sat up.
32 weeks sent home for more bedrest.
Had to use a walker and learn to walk again before I was allowed home.
Delivered my beautiful twin girls at 34 weeks.
Keep your head up and keep busy. It is all so worth it.

PS-Your hubby sounds so wonderful. My DH put a microwave and fridge next to our bed at home and he also bought me a laptop too.

 

[TinaLala]

AUGH!!

My second preg was the worst. On June 22 - I went into premature labor on the day of my DD's 3rd birthday party. Planned the entire party and then had to sit home and until they all came home to tell DH I was in labor. Turned out I was dehydrated.

Then I had a UT and went into labor on July 1, 2, 3 and 4th. I wasn't due until July 9th. By the 4th my DR had had it with me and put me on bed rest. For me it wasn't too bad because it was HOT so I sat infront of the air conditioning vents with a fan blowing on me. AAAHHH!

Yeah I was on bedrest and then was induced on July 18th - which was a full moon, so when I was suppose to go in at 7am - they didn't have any beds so I couldn't go in until 12pm, but then waited in the waiting room until 3pm before they set me up in a room. Baby by 11:35pm that night.

Hey enjoy the rest now, because you ain't getting any once the baby comes!!

 

[jakoky]

hi there, i was on "feet up" rest with no lifting with my youngest...i had been out for lunch when i was about 10 wks and became soaked in blood....they said either it was a twin pregnancy and i lost one or placental tear....i bled for about 4-6 wks...i had a 1 and 3 yr old at the time, but thankfully we had just sold our house and were staying at my parents while dh was fixing up the new one, so my mom was awesome...thankfully i went off this by about 15 or 16 wks...my dd was born at 33 wks and spent 7 wks in hospital having numerous bowel surgeries but is now at picture of health at 13...it will be so worth it later on, but to get thru it now will be hard...

I WISH i had a computer, let alone a laptop back when i was on it...find a support group if u can...u said u had a dvr, i would record all the night shows and watch them in the day when u are alone...get dh or friends to play card games with you...plan your disney trip inside and out...take care and know that u will get thru this and soon u will be holding your beautiful and healthy baby..

sharon