Hospital Bed Rest Check List

rkcaraway

Ladies,

I know there was a post within the last month, but I can't find it of some good items to have at hospital on bed rest. Can you give me your suggestions again? Just found out that I'm going to be in here for "a while".

Thanks so much for your help!

10-4LilBuddy

Toiletries - q tips, lip balm, lotion, shower stuff, nail clippers, deodorant, etc.

Clothing - I wear my own undies but their gowns. I would feel bad about making my hubby lug a lot of laundry around. Plus, there is always lotion or goop from monitoring or ultrasounds. I'd rather get it in their gowns vs my clothes. I like just changing out gowns mid day if I feel like it too.

Slippers!

Snacks - I have boxes of protein bars. I order all my meals from room service and sometimes will order snacks as part of my meals and just save them. You may have a fridge. Before I was diagnosed with GD, I kept Ensures to help me gain weight.

Stuff to do - movies, hobbies, laptop, etc.

Earplugs!!!! This place is loud! I've heard of people bringing eye masks too because your room will be bright with all the equipment light. Those lights don't bug me and I startle easily, so I can't be blindfolded.

Snoogle or whatever specialty pillow you need. They will give you tons of regular pillows if you don't need.

Humidifier - hospital air is so dry. I have a bloody nose pretty much every morning but it has been so much better since my husband bought me a humidifier.

Chargers and batteries.

I got a little box to keep all my small stuff on the table next to my bed. It makes it easier to just pull the whole box into my bed versus worrying about things falling off the table.

You'll figure out what you need or don't need. I made my husband take a bunch of stuff home last week because I hated how cluttered things were getting.

Good luck.

10-4LilBuddy

There's also a hospital bed rest post that just started on the multiples board that may help you with other questions.

rkcaraway

Thanks 10-4!!

bitsytripmom

Hi RK and 10-4!

I second pretty much everything 10-4 said with a few exceptions that have to do with personal preference... Forewarned to all others - we're talking 6 weeks planned in the hospital here - I would not recommend any of this for a two-three day stay.  Stick me in a gown, sheets are fine, bed is fine, no biggie.

I get what 10-4 is saying about ultrasound goop, etc - but I really really prefer wearing my own loungewear (lots of yoga/pj bottoms and living in the gap maternity t-shirts).  Since I spend upwards of 5 hours a day with my belly exposed (4 NSTs and a BPP daily), I would be having everything hang out for every room service person, syringe box changey person, maintenance guy, nurse, doctor, student etc - several hours a day.  I also have family nearby to take the laundry - which makes a huge difference and I could understand not wanting to put that solely on a partner who may be picking up a ton of extra slack already.

I also did my own sheets, towels (again, this gets back to the laundry thing) and a 30 dollar memory foam mattress topper from Target.  My house towels are not big enough to go around me and the tiny, unbelievably rough, hospital towels are good for cleaning up ultrasound goop and not much else (except maybe exfoliation!). 

I also went with all my own pillows (I use two plus a small lumbar support for a bump wedge and a snoogle between my legs) - they will give you endless hospital pillows and if those work for you - good!  I'm picky about a pillow when I'm not pregnant .

I'm an eye cover girl - they always leave all the monitors on (two big computer screens and all the lights in the hallway.

Sorry to hear you have to stick around for so long - but so glad to hear everyone is still hanging tough - I know you've been at this a really long time and you're doing awesome!!!!

rkcaraway

Thanks Bitsy!!

10-4LilBuddy

I'm wondering about the memory foam topper. I have switched beds a few times and now have a pretty good one. Does it really help?

Another point... If you don't like your bed, fridge, etc., talk to your nurse. They switched out my bed when it kept bugging me. Then switched it again when the brakes were broken. My fridge made noise when it started up so they changed that too. Don't be afraid to mention anything. They want you to be comfortable.

10-4LilBuddy

Ok... Feeling bored and chatty today.

Another tip - saline nose spray. It is really so dry in the hospital. Don't forget body and face lotion too.

Also, I brought my childhood stuffed bear... It gets lonely at night. Yes, I'm a 40 year old woman, but I need Bear to cuddle while I'm apart from my husband.

bitsytripmom

I've never gone without it - saw a recommendation for it before I went in and had it going in... Between that and the appropriate "pillow fort" for my configuration... I'm actually most comfortable in bed and sleeping and have escaped any sort of chronic back/hip pain until this week finally my back has started giving out. (Carpal tunnel and sinuses have been another story - but what can you do)

In short - I'd recommend - especially because the price isn't terrible for several weeks.

Agree on saline (I use a Neti pot) and on working with your nurses... I've heard sometimes they'll leave people on labor and delivery beds without thinking about it and are glad to switch once they realize it. Dedicated anti partum wards seem to be best at realizing you're in it for the long haul (if you are) combined l&d anti wards are busy and used to churn... It just takes a little more communication and they're glad to help.

I've had my stuffed animal since day 1!

And I had my ambien an hour ago and would normally be passed out right now but am wide awake... Apparently the steroid shot has kicked in...