bedrest mamas: handling achy sore muscles??

lnle

I really hate to start complaining about soreness and muscle pain since I've only been on br since Tuesday and I'm sure it will get worse. But here I go anyway...How do you handle being sore and achy? I feel like certain muscles get sore from having to prop myself up and haul myself out of bed, and other muscles get sore from not being used. Are you allowed to do stretching exercises? heating pad? massage? just change positions frequently?

thanks for any tips!

Mouseygail

I'm sure that you were already getting lots of aches and such, you must be pretty miserable!   I'd try changing position often, make sure that you use pillows to prop up parts/keep your knees apart/etc, I'm guessing heating pads are fine as long as you aren't getting too warm from them and you aren't using them near your belly, I have one of those tubes filled with rice or buckwheat that you can toss in the microwave...it really helps to have that around my neck, especially when I have a headache. 

KYmama9286

I just had my physical therapy consult since I was wondering what exactly I could be doing to help my muscles from atrophying since I am only allowed up to go to the bathroom...you can use those stretchy bands to do light resistance for your arms, shoulders, etc. I find that my upper back near my shoulder blades gets most sore so try arching your shoulders back like you are trying to hold a dollar bill between your should blades this is a good stretch, try stretching your neck by putting your neck out like a turtle then tucking it back in (giving yourself a double chin lol) thats a good one for the neck, as for legs you can do any stretch that you think feels comfortable but my PT said to be very careful to 1) not do anything on both sides at the same time (like dont be stretching both calf muscles at the same time) cuz it can cause higher risk w/ blood clots, 2) dont do anything that involves using your core muscles, if you cant do the leg stretches using only leg muscles (not abdominal) then dont do them, 3) and obviously anything that causes contractions, bleeding, pain, etc. stop doing--hope this helps! look online maybe you can find some samples of different leg stretches the hospital gave me a whole booklet to try

KYmama9286

Oh, I forgot to add, you can use heat & cold therapy just pay attention to how it makes you feel, massage is good too (get DH on board ) also when laying on your side prop a pillow between your knees, a pillow (or rolled up towel, I find a towel more comfy) under your belly for support and try a rolled up towel under/near your neck for added support this will help keep you aligned

miaomi

My DH gives me a massage every night. I tell him where I'm sorest and he uses the massage technique in the Bradley books to help relieve the muscles.  I also make a point to try and completly relax and focus on my different muscles to make sure none of them are tense.  Then, I strech my muscles one at a time and relax them completly afterwards.  I learned this in yoga and it helps.

Use pillows and bolsters to help prop you up or change positions.  Also, make sure you are getting help EVERY time you get up and someone is home to help.  Even if it's just a hand getting off the couch.  Our muscles are more sensitive because we are pregnant and being on bedrest makes it much worse. 

If you are able to leave the house once in awhile, schedule yourself a prenatal massage as often as you can.

lnle

thanks for the ideas everyone!!

dulcinea03

I'm on modified bedrest, so no idea if this is an option for you, but I swear by my warm bath every night. It has really helped my aches and helps me relax to go to sleep. I just have DH help me out of the tub when I'm done.