Bedrest exercises?

Mrs_D_in_KY · March 2014

So I feel like my legs are so restless. I'm sure it's from just not doing as much while holding down the couch. Has anyone done any time of exercises while in bed to of course keep clots away and also not totally lose muscle tone?

I know after having DS #1 four years ago I was so weak and sore after having him it made it difficult to even walk around the block. I'm sure I lost muscle tone over the 8 weeks of bedrest then the few weeks of post partum recovery.

Just looking for some tips! Thanks in advance.

flerlgirl · March 2014

My MFM told me to do some light stuff: rotate my feet and ankles in both directions for a few minutes, very light bicycle kicks with one leg at a time, and rotate my thighs so my knees go in and out (does that make sense? Like how your knees would be if you were sitting criss cross apple sauce, except just one at a time). Hope those help!

takmjs · March 2014

When I was on hospital bed rest, OT/PT came in to show me exercises and gave me a small booklet of different exercises I should do. You could ask your doctor if they have one of those. Like PP said, just make sure whatever you do--lifting leg, rotating ankles, etc.--is one leg/ankle/arm at a time. It may not seem like it, but I was told that if you use both legs/ankles at a time, you're using way too many pelvic muscles, which is not good at all for bedresters.