Bed Rest survival guide
So, your physician has indicated that you have a "high risk" pregnancy and need to be on bed rest. While being on bedrest is extremely frustrating, there are things you can do to make it more tolerable:
- Find out exactly what activities are forbidden and plan accordingly.
- Develop a schedule. You'll feel more in control of things if everything has its own time. For example, pay bills on Monday, write in your pregnancy journal on Thursdays, etc.
- Set up a bedside cooler packed with a lunch, snacks, and beverages. This will help with feelings of independence.
- If you are able, purchase or rent a laptop computer to stay connected to friends and family via the Internet.
- Get cups with lids and straws.
- Reserve books at the local library via phone or Internet, and ask friends or family to pick them up for you.
- Get a membership with a mail-order video rental company such as NetFlix or Blockbuster online.
- Get a crock pot and plan on using it, or teaching your partner to use it.
- Get extra keys for friends and neighbors.
- Call baby product companies or locate them on the Web. Register for freebies. Request catalogs.
- Finish projects, such as updating your address book or photo albums. Do your Christmas cards (even if it is only February!)
- Keep a notebook for recording all to-do's, questions for doctors, phone numbers.
- Keep a box of wipes handy to clean your hands throughout the day.
- Get a big wastebasket, one that can capture the newspaper, junk mail, and the wrappings from food.
- Let your partner know that his normally agreeable wife may have an irrational crying fit while on bedrest.
- Encourage your partner to take a vacation day at least once each month, so that he can either get a break or get things done on a weekday.
- Ask friends to toss in a load of laundry and keep you company while they wait to fold it.
- Collect take-out menus for you.
- Make sure everyone that offers to help is given an opportunity. Put them on a schedule with regular routines they can schedule and that you can count on.
- Invite friends over for a Friday night video and pizza party in your bedroom.
- Don't feel obligated to be productive. Your main purpose at this time is to keep yourself and your baby healthy.
- Communicate with your partner. Share in his frustrations as he shares in yours.