Restrictions

SweetBijou

Hi!

I had my first peri appointment last Thursday (I'm high risk because of twins, being 35, and having HBP).  I knew that multiples pregnancies have more risks, but I guess I was taken aback by some of the restrictions.  Did you have any of the restrictions I've noted below?  DH thinks the peri is being conservative and I shouldn't take it all to heart, and should see how the pregnancy progresses. 

No travel at all.  At any point during the pregnancy  (we had two weekend trips planned in a month or two, about an hour plane ride away).

Bedrest at 24 weeks.  I'm a bit nervous about breaking this one to the office.

No exercise other than walking.

No lifting anything greater than 15 pounds, at any point in the pregnancy.

No standing for longer than 20 minutes at a time, at any point in the pregnancy.

No sex without condoms.

I don't have any medical conditions other than those that I mentioned.  What are your thoughts?  Is my dr. just very conservative or are these restrictions common?

Thanks so much!

BizEB

That seems crazy to me, unless your blood pressure is his concern. 

I am also over 35 and my only restrictions are "rest" at 22 weeks for a few hours/day (I can still work part-time) and no sex or flying after 20 weeks. 

Nikki1007

That does seem a little extreme if you are not having any problems.

SoldiersGreenBean

Seems very conservative to me, but I also don't have the additional risks that you do.  I agree with BizEB - peri may be looking at your HBP as the greatest risk factor.

nygrl79

Some of these restrictions sound a bit conservative.  However, I don't know how high your BP normally is, etc.  Another risk factor that my MFM told me about is IVF, I was told that (for some strange reason) it makes the pregnancy even more high risk. 

The restrictions that sound a bit too conservative to me (but I didn't have the same risk factors you have) are:

1. No travel at all.  I was premitted to travel until 24 weeks, but only to large metropolitan areas with excellent hospitals.  After 24 weeks, I was not permitted to go anywhere that is outside of 1 hour radius of my hospital.

2. No sex w/o condoms.  Is he worried about infection of some sort?  On the other hand, a friend of mine that did IVF wasn't permitted to have sex at all until about 20 weeks or so, but was allowed after.

3. No standing for more than 20 minutes -- does that start right away for you?  How short/long is your cervix?  This restriction makes sense if your cervix is on the shorter side.  Also, after 22-24 weeks, I did not want to stand for more than 20 minutes... 

I was not permitted to exercise or lift anything over 10 pounds -- but that is mostly because I ended up with a subchorionic hematoma at 10.5 weeks.  To be honest, even though there is no way to tell for sure, I think the hematoma came about from me exercising and lifting weights right before I got it. 

Bedrest at 24 weeks doesn't sound out of line, but it is a more conservative approach.  Some doctors take a "wait and see" approach, but to be honest, I would have been fine going on bed rest at 24 weeks.  My Dr. has a "wait and see" approach and at 28 weeks my Dr. took me out.  I was exhausted, huge, swollen, having a lot of BH contractions, etc.  I wouldn't say anything to your work about leaving at 24 weeks now.  I would "wait and see" and if at 22 weeks it looks like you really will be going out on leave, then you'll tell them.  If you feel great at 24 weeks, maybe your Dr. will allow you to go a few more weeks.  Personally, I would not have wanted to go beyond 28 weeks (if you have enough short-term disability at work to cover your leave w/o cutting into your maternity leave). 

pea-kay

Well, I had triplets, so my pregnancy was a bit higher-risk than most, but I don't think I had that many restrictions.

I did travel (airplane at 11 weeks, but the rest were short car trips) but never went on bedrest. Was not allowed to exercise and lift things over I think 20 lbs at the beginning and then 10 lbs later.

I guess, you know, it's better in some cases to be safe than sorry. It won't hurt you to use condoms or not lift heavy stuff, you know?

SweetBijou

Thanks for the feedback! 

I will discuss further with the peri at my next appointment (3/31).  My blood pressure is under control with pregnancy safe medication and I really don't have any other issues yet.

The no sex without condoms restriction is because semen causes contractions (this is what he said) and that I would have to stop having sex after 20 weeks (not prior).

I'm also confused about the no standing for more than 20 minutes at all during the pregnancy, as I don't have any cervix issues as of now.  i've never had any procedures or surgeries that would cause concern about my cervix.

 I didn't realize that IVF was also considered high risk.  I wonder why?

BeccaLandes

I am younger than you are, but as far as I can tell, that has nothing to do with it... my aunt had my cousin when she was 40 and was at her aerobics class until she went into labor.  I do understand twins are different of course.

I had no restrictions until my cervix started shortening.  I think the restrictions you have been given are kind of extreme...  Would you consider a 2nd opinion?  At least your OB should give your body the benefit of the doubt, let you do some things and see how your cervix is holding out at 20 weeks or so, and go from there.

MrsAmyB

Wow.  I have triplets, identical twins that share a placenta and one baby with velamentous cord insertion near the cervix and these are my restrictions:

Travel only within an hour of a Level III NICU.

50/50 chance of hospital bedrest at 25 weeks.  If no bedrest at 25 weeks, then assume being admitted at each appointment thereafter.

Excercise as you feel comfortable.  But, IMO walking is sometimes too much.

I need to wean my daughter from lifting (she is 35lbs) as I won't be able to much longer.  I maybe pick her up once a week now.

Have sex as much and has often as I please until my MFM tells me to stop.  And "as much as I please" equals never.

gumiberg

wow, i had no restrictions at all until week 30 (and then i had to stay off my feet).  But i was running 30+ miles a week all the way to week 24 (with a heart rate monitor).  why no travel? that one seems the most odd to me.  maybe after week 30 or so i could understand.I dont think I would be happy with a dr that strict!  I'd probably find someone else. 

mrscalkins

What is your normal bp reading?  Are you taking medication for it?  I was only two years younger than you and had extremely high bp and I was not on those strict of restrictions.  

efhoping2010

Wow that seems like a lot of restrictions.  I do not know your BP situation though.  My only issue is anemia.

 They said no airline travel after 20 weeks

No travel over an hour after 23 weeks

I am supposed to sit or lie down as much as possible starting late second and into the third trimester.  No bed rest or restriction though.

No restrictions on sexy time yet but my cervix is long and closed still.

  

ougrad1

That's all really crazy.  I'm older than you are and my dr hasn't put any restrictions on me.

I'd be up the creek with no lifting over 15 lbs.

SweetBijou

Thanks again for the feedback!  After hearing from so many of you, some of whom have/had riskier pregnancies than mind and fewer restrictions, I'm going to discuss further with my doctor at my next appointment.  There are actually four doctors that I will see there, so I most likely will not see the same one.  There simply must be more of a middle ground.

Thanks again!

finallyreilly

Some OBs are more conservative than others.  We had an OB in the beginning that had similar rules.  We ended up with a different OB because of my insurance and I really wanted someone who didn't package me and looked at my case individually.  My OB tailored my plan to me.  I went on bedrest when he thought it was necessary and not because I was 24 weeks.