How to Help...

FML8608

My best friend's water broke last night at 25w. She was 4 cm dilated when they got to the hospital. At this point she's on hospital bedrest with mag for as long as she can keep her little boy in.

My question is, being 1000+mi away, what can we do to make her life more comfortable, help keep her mind occupied...is there something that we can send/do that would help her either mentally, emotionally or physically? If you were on hospital bedrest, is there something that you are so thankful you had?( keeping in mind she is flat on her side/back with no movement allowed) or is there something you had/wished you'd had right after your preemie was born and was in the NICU?

TIA

thishappyhouse

Once I was in her place (on mag, strictest of strict bedrest, etc) there wasnt much I wanted other than prayers and more prayers.

 If things stabilize for her and she gets off mag some things that I appreciated were: 

skyping with people

good lotion & lipgloss

my kindle

elastic headbands to keep my hair tamed

edible arrangements

 

Once my daughter was in the nicu the things we appreciated the most were:

anything personalized with my daughters name.  It made things feel more like home and also meant that nothing would get misplaced.  blankets, signs, preemie hats, etc

gas cards or paid parking

gift cards for restuarants local to the hospital (Starbucks, Subway, Panera, etc)

a journal

 

lots of good thoughts for your friend! 

 

Shauna07

My friend in LA (I was in Boston) sent me a good book and a huge basket of Godiva chocolates (I ate them once I was able to before/after the csection).  Also, magazines, a taking care of a preemie book, and streaming movies helped when I was waiting for my LO to arrive....

 

 

FML8608

These are some great ideas and things I wouldn't have necessarily thought of- thank you!

Courtneyw04

I was on hospital bed rest for four weeks and loved when people brought food. I would get so sick of hospital food so that was always a nice change. People would also bring magazines. She probably has to drink a lot of water so mio or other flavored mixes were awesome. 

 

Blankets for the baby will help make the  incubator more 'home'. You can also give her books to read so the baby can listen to her voice.

  

CTbride79

I wasn't on hospital bed rest, but some things I wished I'd had in the NICU were:

- a nice robe, for Kangaroo Care

- his baby book (did not have one yet at the time of his birth, and there are a lot of things I wish I had written down), or a NICU journal

- an e-reader

And some things I was grateful that were brought to me:

- candy, magazines, comfy clothes

I like the idea above of gift cards to local restaurants...we spent a TON of money on eating out! 

I hope they are able to keep her LO in for a few more weeks!!