Do your bed rest orders from your OB feel like a prison sentence? As a Beyond Mom, it’s likely that you are a highly productive individual so being told not to be active or engage with your packed calendar can seem like an impossible command. Don’t feel this way! Firstly, you must focus on the health of your pregnancy. Despite everything you have going on in your busy life, it is your priority! Your OB may have suggested you remain on bed rest for good reason, perhaps for one of the following conditions:
- High blood pressure, such as preeclampsia, and eclampsia
- Cervical changes, such as incompetent cervix, and cervical effacement
- Vaginal bleeding
- Premature labor
- Multiples
- History of pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or premature birth
- Poor fetal development
- Gestational diabetes
- Placenta complications, such as placental abruption, placenta previa, and placenta accreta
These are all serious reasons to put your feet up, so let’s review why, despite the protests of your monkey mind, you might need to give in. Bed rest is used to give the body its best chance to normalize. Bed rest is often suggested for women who have conditions related to high blood pressure in order to decrease stress and lower blood pressure. Work, activity, lifting, or exercise may worsen or provoke certain situations, so bed rest may be prescribed to reduce vaginal bleeding or decrease the chance of premature labor. Bed rest may also be necessary to help increase blood flow to the placenta.
Are you convinced yet? But let me console you for a moment. Bed rest doesn’t mean that your life is on hold. Here are some suggestions to keep you sane, healthy and productive:
Organizing Unit:
Keep your bed rest area tidy with a simple box or a special tray. This will help you keep your TV and DVD remotes, phone and other important accessories in an easy to access spot. You don’t have time to hunt for your phone—oh yeah, you do, but you don’t want to. Laptop, books games, art projects, music, knitting, plastic utensils, and paper plates can go in these handy trays.
Simple Exercise:
Of course check with your OB first to see what you are cleared to do. But simple movements as you rest can make a world of difference both physically and mentally.
a) Simple Exercises will help break up the boredom and monotony of your bed rest restriction.
b) Simple Exercises will give you a sense of empowerment. You may be confined to your bed, but you can still make your muscles stronger and longer.
c) Exercise will improve your circulation so blood doesn’t pool
d) Exercise will decrease your muscle and joint stiffness from lying in bed so long.
e) Exercise is something you can do with your family or friends. You might even have a few laughs!
i.You can use household products (water bottles, etc) as weights to perform your exercises. You can tie therabands (inexpensive exercise resistance bands) to the bed frame and exercise your legs and arms safely
ii. Consult with a women’s health PT to learn safe and effective exercises
Make a list of all the things you CAN do and to what extent:
If your doctor or midwife hasn’t given you strict instructions, please inquire. Ask ‘What Can I do Right now?” This list will empower you instead of making you feel like a patient. Ask questions in regards to:
- activity level
- working outside the home (working from home allowed?)
- working inside the home (housework allowed?)
- child care (lifting children allowed?)
- outside stress influences (visitors?)
- mobility (stair climbing allowed?)
- driving (is being a passenger allowed?)
- bathroom privileges (bedpan only? Bedside commode?)
- sexual relations (occasional sexual relations allowed? Is orgasm allowed?)
- maintenance of pregnancy (fetal activity monitoring?)
- home care (medications?)
- what I might expect in the future (Screenings? Monitoring? Hospital stay?)
- if problems arise (at what point should OB be contacted?)
It may seem like a lifetime sentence, but soon enough you will be out of bed and enjoying your little one. So don’t worry! Use this time to read, meditate, catch up with old friends on the phone and perhaps dream up your next business idea! Make the best of this time, take care of your body and find creative ways to stay productive.
Good luck!
Written by Denise Jagroo DPT, MTC, WCS. Denise is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy and the co-author or Your Best Pregnancy: The Ultimate Guide to Easing the Aches, Pains and Uncomfortable Side Effects During Each Stage of Your Pregnancy. Dr. Jagroo has a private practice in midtown Manhattan: www.drjagroo.com