Bedrest During Your Pregnancy
Being in the hospital during your pregnancy is some of the hardest
work you will ever do. It's hard to stay happy when you should be out
getting ready for a new baby, going to work, or taking care of things
at home. You may be worried about your health and your baby's health.
Having to stay in bed can make each day seem the same and become
boring, but there are some things you can do to make things go more
smoothly:
Plan a daily routine:
Having a routine makes the day go more quickly and you will feel
better. During the day you should:
- Take a brief shower or bath (if approved by your doctor)
- Change into regular clothes if you can
- Eat three balanced meals and two snacks
- Plan two activities that make you feel you "got something
done" (See "Things to Do" section.)
- Take a short nap
Items to have close at hand:
- Three to four loose gowns or comfortable outfits (sweats or
short sets)
- Robe, bra, and underwear
- A pair of non-skid slippers
- Wristwatch
- Pads, pencils, and address book.
- Deodorant, shampoo, makeup, etc.
- A small mirror
- Hairdryer, brush, and comb
- Favorite magazines, books, puzzles, calendar, and craft
projects
Things to do:
- Small, easy to finish craft items: The activities therapist
has some projects and kits available and can visit you on Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday.
- Read: The patient
library has all kinds of books and magazines and can bring
your choices to your room. Use your hospital stay to finish that
book you have always wanted to read.
- Mail: Post your cards from friends on the bulletin board in
your room. Catch up on letter writing, especially to people who do
not usually receive much mail. Encourage friends and family to use
the e-mail
service.
- Keep a journal: Write down your feelings, even if just a word
or two each day.
- Music/movies: The patient library has cassette tapes, videos
and VCR's to reserve. Your nurse can provide you with educational
videos about birth, pregnancy and premature babies.
- Learn: Your nurse can provide you with books and material
about twins, premature babies and more. Please ask.
Family and friends can help:
- Rotate phone calls and letters so your calls and mail come
throughout the week
- Divide childcare, running errands, doing laundry, buying
groceries among as many people as you can. Sometimes you will feel
guilty about accepting or asking for help. Please try to remember
you will do the same for others when you are able because you will
understand how much the help is needed.
Support systems:
- MOMS: Mothers Offering Mothers Support is a group of
volunteers who have been in the hospital during a pregnancy and
can be a supportive friend or listener, either in person or by
phone.
- Luncheons: Weekly luncheon meetings allow hospitalized moms to
eat together.
- A Social Service worker can answer questions about financial
resources, childcare and offer emotional support.
- Chaplain services can provide a visit, worship services, Holy
Communion.
- Beauty shop:
Services can be arranged for a fee.
Your other children:
- We want your children to visit as much as they can during
visiting hours (as long as they are not ill and their
immunizations are up to date). It's best to visit in the lobbies,
if you can go off the floor or to have an adult present who can
take the children off the area if they become restless. For special
occasions your family might want to bring in food so you can all
eat together.
- Talk with your children on the phone. You may want to tape
record their favorite books or tapes and send the tape home to
them.
- Keep pictures of your children on your table.
- Encourage your children to talk about how they feel.
Helping us help you:
We may ask you to keep track of some things for us and will teach
you how to do them. These may include:
- Counting contractions
- Counting baby's movements
- Recording what you drink and/or how much urine you pass
- Signs of illness to watch for
We would like to teach you as much as we can about your pregnancy
and birth. We have many educational videos and would like to answer
any questions or concerns you have.
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