modified bedrest, how much is too much?

hailey1312 · August 2010

sometimes I wonder if I am doing TOO much when I am on modified bedrest. I HAVE asked my midwives, what I can and can't do and they are never very specific. They say to "take it easy, relax, lay around and do nothing, don't be on my feet long, no going up and down the stairs , running around going out shopping" and that's about it. I don't want to go through a list of activities and ask if I can or can't do them, because I am afraid they will ban everything and then I will get more depressed.

Anyway, I just don't know how much is too much. They did say I don't have to be laying down all day, that I can even go outside and sit outside. So...I have been trying to lay on the couch as much as I can but I still get up and fix my self something to eat or get more water to drink. In the morning I gather up all the things I need and come downstairs and I don't go back upstairs till the evening when it's time for bed. So basically I am taking the stairs 2 x daily because I basically have to because that is where our bed is but other than that I don't go up or down. I have not been doing any chores, but I have been allowing myself to help with supper, as long as I'm not standing a long time. I started using one of the bar stools and sitting at the counter as I cut or chop food or stir something on the stove. I sit at the kitchen table but always put my feet up. Today my sister helped me put all the baby clothes in the dresser while I sat on the floor and helped and she did the standing. I did wipe down the mirror and sink in the bathroom today which might have took all of 3 minutes becuase I couldn't stand how dirty it was any longer. (the cleaning bucket had been sitting outside the bathroom for a week now and DH STILL hadn't done it, I felt to bad to say anything to him since he did dust the whole house and vacuumed and did all the laundry.In the morning I shower, dress, and get around and that take about an hour, so I am on my feet about that amount of time, but I try not to be on my feet longer than.

So anyway, I guess my question after all that is, I wonder if I am still doing too much? Should I be lying down or on my side alot more than this? When DH is at work I am lying on the couch most of the time except when I need to get up. But I have been allowing myself to do more sitting up lately because I can get more done that way without having to be on my feet. I guess I'm just worried that if the labs come back worse that I will think I just "did too much" and that's why it might have gotten worse...And worried even though my blood pressures are staying stable, and I feel fine that I might be doing harm to myself or baby without realizing it...

itsmyangel · August 2010

sounds like you're being better than me..i made a quick run to cvs, put gas in my car, and went to dq today...i do sit in bed most of the day...but i folded and hung baby laundry a couple of days ago..i do try to sit in bed with my legs up most of the time.....but yeah...if i start feeling not so hot i lay on my side but other than that i'm usually reclining in bed with my feet up...i'm even allowed to work full days from home on my laptop

MrsB*s · August 2010

I was on modified bedrest with DD for PIH that became pre-e, and I'm back on bedrest with this one for PIH. In both cases, it wasn't really that I was restricted, although certainly chores and tiring activities were off limits because activity raises bp, but I had to be on my left for a good portion of every day. Although sitting up is still helping me stay quiet, it is not the same as being on my left.

I was instructed to be on my left at least a solid 2-3 hours of every morning and every afternoon. If I go out or do something else I do it in between my rest times, and still take it easy then. Being on your left is when baby will get the most nutrients, so at least according to my docs, the lying on the left was critical. Eventually, your bp may not be doing as well even just sitting up -- being on my left is all that brings it down to good levels.

cbkittner · August 2010

I'm also on modified BR and initially had trouble figuring out what was too much. Now on week 8, I know that if I go out to a drive through, or even for quick dinner once every 3-4 days, that I'll be fine. That if I get up to fix myself a sandwhich, get some water, put DD's toys away (from sitting down position) that'll also be fine. Basically, I listen to my body, and try to do what's best. My cervix measurements are great, and the length has increased ever so slightly in the last 3 weeks and I've been doing some things to a certain extent. Between my OB and Peri, they differ slightly on the restrictions I have, so I try to listen to my body, and sometimes do a little more. I also have home monitoring for my contractions, so the days I *think* I overdid it, I strap it on, if it still tracks the same/less, I think I'm fine. If not, I know to take it extra easy for the next few days.

It is hard though, but I would also not be afraid/hesitant to write a list down and just go through it quickly with your midwife on your dos and don'ts.

eyenerd · August 2010

I have been on bedrest since 25 weeks. They told me i could shower, sit at the table to eat my meals, and go to the bathroom.

Since i am a little further along now, and my cervix has not had any huge changes, i will allow myself certain treats. For example, we went to the Olive Garden after an appointment. I have also put a roast in the over, cut up some fruit for my DD, and i do try to clean off the table and DD toys in small intervals. I listen to my body. I think it depends on how critical your situation is, if you are progressing, and what type of condition you have.

For me, i think just stopping working and being off my feet has been the big key. A few of my docs have said that bedrest doesn't do anything, however, i beg to differ. Being on my feet for 30 hours a week was definitely not helping things!!!!

kcox123 · August 2010

I did about 1 month of modified bedrest. I was specifically told "no cleaning, cooking, lifting, stairs, working (at the office), shopping, ..."

So basically I did a lot of laying on my couch watching tv or reclining watching tv. I did allow myself to use the bathroom, take a shower (I brought a chair in my bathroom so I could sit while I did makeup/hair), make myself quick meals (sandwich and chips or maybe scrambled eggs). I occasionally went through a drive through or ran into Walgreens to get one or two items. DH did all the cleaning (I would pick up my kids toys once in a while or unload the dishwasher, but no vacuuming, mopping, hand-washing dishes, cleaning bathrooms, laundry, etc). DH did all the actual cooking/meal prep. Dh did all the girls baths (their rooms and bathroom are upstairs). DH put the girls to bed every night and went up if one of them woke during the night. DH took the girls to daycare and picked them up. DH did all the yardwork including looking after my flowers...

iloveu4ever · August 2010

I feel so tired half the time even if I walk half a block. But mostly there is no such thing as too much because if your doctor wants you to stay in bed do so. My fiance is like that too. He told me not to hurry this morning to catch the bus, but I did.

LaraL07 · August 2010

Well that sounds like you are obeying the rules. You can still do stuff just don't stay on your feet for extended periouds of time. It also depends on the reason you are on bedrest. I am in PTL and supposed to be on strict bedrest but I do more of a modified because I know how much I can do before I start having contractions... Anyways, do what you feel you can handle. Listen to your body!

itsmyangel · August 2010

i agree here too....there are days i do more.. like hanging lo's clothes or doing some light dusting....but generally i'm reclining in bed. my cervix is holding though which is good (was a 4.3 last week)..and i have vistaril to take if i'm feeling REALLY crampy i'll take that and lay on my left side with some water....dr did tell me i could have gone to disney( if i was in a wheelchair) and to the mall etc...any place where there is walking just be in a wheelchair is what she told me

hailey1312 · August 2010

They told me not to be out running around shopping,but I decided if I use one of those motorized carts at the grocery it might be ok and had my DH drop off at the door, I got in one of those carts and went around the store that way, so I didn't really do any walking at all. When I mentioned that I'd done that at my ob appointment my midwife didn't seem to have any problem with that. She just asked how it went and I said fine, but that it was alittle embarrassing riding around in the scooter. ( people kept looking at me funny, since I'm not 350lbs and didn't look disabled, they probably thought I was just doing it for fun or something)

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