37 weeks on crutches! advice?

kathleeeenrose · January 2014

hi everyone,

I'll be 37 weeks tomorrow. 5 days ago I slipped on some ice and sprained my ankle pretty badly. I still can't put weight on it. I'm using crutches to get to the bathroom and pretty much confined to the bed or couch right now- such a bummer as I have had a very pleasant pregnancy and was enjoying my last few weeks! I rescheduled today's weekly check to next Monday so my boyfriend can be with me to help with stairs, etc.

I'm staying positive and trying to view my current situation as a small annoyance, but I have a lot of concerns for going into labor and not being able to walk!

I suppose I will have to use an ambulance to get to the hospital and I'm also much less confident in my pain management ability with so little mobility! (was planning for a med free birth!)

with any luck I'll be up and walking again before baby comes, but in the meantime does anybody have any advice or similar stories to share?

everyone please be careful in the snow and ice!

Kathleen

JaneW2 · January 2014

Yikes, I am so sorry to hear that! Definitely rest and elevate as much as possible. You might want to look into a walking boot, if you are still impaired when the baby comes, so you can get around a little better.

Unfortunately, sometimes the feet swell MORE after delivery. Hang in there, in any case.

missimone · January 2014

That sounds awful! I hope you'll get a lot of help.

I don't have any advice but this reminds me about my classmate who told me his wife was in a full-body cast when she delivered b/c she fell down some steps. I can't imagine either scenario.

ccip82 · January 2014

First, I am really sorry that you sprained your ankle-ouch!!

Did you go to the doctor to get it checked out? Did they tell you about long it would take to heal or any instructions on what to do? My advice would be to take it easy now. You are not even 37 weeks yet, you still have time to let your ankle heal before you go into labor. (Fingers crossed!)

Also, I am confused why you would have to take an ambulance to the hospital... I think you should be fine in a car providing someone is driving you.

Edited for missing word

joynalanson · January 2014

Ouch! I say go into super recovery mode, just to be sure you are ok for delivery. A med free delivery is important to me too so I understand how you feel.

kathleeeenrose · January 2014

ccip82 said:
Also, I am confused why you would have to take an ambulance to the hospital... I think you should be fine in a car providing someone is driving you.

Edited for missing word

thank you everyone for your kind words and advice! the only reason I was thinking ambulance is so they can get me down the stairs... I'm terrified to use the stairs on crutches when not in labor, even with my boyfriend's support! maybe I could scoot down on my butt? I just want to avoid falling again at all costs!

@esd
@ccip82

MissRdotS · January 2014

ccip82 said:

First, I am really sorry that you sprained your ankle-ouch!!

Did you go to the doctor to get it checked out? Did they tell you about long it would take to heal or any instructions on what to do? My advice would be to take it easy now. You are not even 37 weeks yet, you still have time to let your ankle heal before you go into labor. (Fingers crossed!)

Also, I am confused why you would have to take an ambulance to the hospital... I think you should be fine in a car providing someone is driving you.

Edited for missing word

This. Why would you need an ambulance? You are definitely not supposed to drive yourself to or from the hospital for the birth of your LO. And you could always call a taxi if a family, friend, or boyfriend can't drive you.

kathleeeenrose · January 2014

@MissRdotS

I did answer this in the comment right above, but my concern is getting down my apartment steps with crutches while in labor.

MissRdotS · January 2014

sorry @kathleeeenrose - we must have been typing at the same time and I didn't see your answer. Does your complex not have an elevator? As silly as it may look, scooting down on your bum may just be your best option. My mom had to be taken to the ER in an ambulance for a really bad allergic reaction and she has awesome insurance and it cost her several thousand dollars for the trip!

kathleeeenrose · January 2014

@MissRdotS no worries! I hadn't even considered an ambulance until my mother suggested it today, but I'd rather avoid all the dramatics! Its only one flight and sliding down seems a little more reasonable...

kschref · January 2014

I broke my right foot at 36 weeks and was put on crutches originally. I do not recommend staying on them if you can help it as the use of them caused me to have contractions and LO definitely did not like it! My husband ended up getting me something called a knee walker and I really recommend you looking into getting one. Our insurance wouldn't cover it, so we did have to pay for the rental out of pocket, but it made all the difference in my mobility, my comfort, and the comfort of my baby. I only need it for one month and with the deposit, it was $150 - not bad in terms of medical equipment. We also bought a chair for the shower and that has been awesome; not to mention very helpful in shaving.

I was also put in an orthopedic shoe which I have to wear until Monday, my due date. Our doula and OB know what is going on and I still plan on going for a med-free birth. I'm more concerned about hurting the foot worse if I can't feel what is happening to it while on pain meds than having the foot pain add to the delivery pain if that makes any sense. I'd rather be in pain during the birth than hurt my foot worse and not be able to use it when LO gets here. We will just make sure that either DH or the doula is holding my right leg back and not touching the foot when it comes time for that. Our doula has also been very helpful in showing me some exercises to relieve back pain, etc. that don't involve putting any pressure on my foot. Most things can be adapted.

Hang in there. It's been a rough almost four weeks for me, but I'm almost out of the woods so to speak and now that I'm nearing my EDD, my foot is doing much, much better. Take care of yourself and listen to your body! I hope that as you get closer, your foot will get better and better.

kathleeeenrose · January 2014

@kschref wow that is all so helpful! I'm sorry about your fracture but I'm glad to hear you are making things work for you. the knee walker looks a lot better than crutches, which have really been a struggle to me.

thanks again for all the advice and good luck as you near your EDD!

JaneW2 · January 2014

That's a good idea about the knee walker! Go for the Rolleraid or Turning Leg Caddy brand. I tried the Invacare brand and I found it totally unsafe.

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