Getting into shape after bed rest

bluebird0521 · June 2014

Hi ladies, I was wondering how those of you who had been on bed rest worked up your stamina for labor. I get winded pretty easily now from being on bed rest for about 12 weeks. I know it isn't as long as some women, but it still took a tole on my body. I am afraid of going into labor and not being able to handle it and ending up with a c-section. In the end a healthy baby is all I want, but I would like to avoid interventions if possible and make the birth a little easier.

With that said, I am trying to think of ways to slowly and safely increase my activity and help with my stamina. What did you do to help get yourself back into "shape"? I have been walking a bit but that's it. I'm not sure what else to do.

Thanks for any tips or advice!!

Manada · June 2014

I am in week 3 of bedrest, and this is something I think about...

Are you allowed to be up and about now then? I am hoping that if I can get to that place I will probably spend time in my apartment's pool doing walking and gentle swimming, and generally trying to walk around more - just to get used to the changes in my body while I am on bedrest. Good luck!

Deblondie1 · June 2014

I spent 17 weeks on bed rest. I honestly didn't do anything to "get in shape" for labor. I didn't know I needed to! My daughter was born vaginally after 6hrs of labor, 3 of which was pushing because homegirl's head was cockeyed.

suitern · June 2014

I was on bed rest for 13 weeks with DS (and headed down that path again). Once I got taken off bed rest at 37 weeks last time, I tried to go on short walks just around stores or outside. Really, by that point I was so huge and uncomfortable that I didn't do much to prepare...I ended up pushing for 3.5 hours and had a forceps delivery due to him being slightly sideways (which no one knew until he came out).

bluebird0521 · June 2014

@Manada-- Yes I am off of bed rest. I was taken off at 34 weeks and told light activity. Then at 35 weeks they said just no heavy lifting, but other restrictions like sex and time limits on walking were removed.

amwenz · June 2014

@bluebird1109‌ I was taken off last Thursday too. Though, I was only modified and I had begged him to swim starting at 26 weeks and was doing that 3 or 4 times a week. However, I stated to dilate and am my cervix is under one. I didn't ask about the pool now and online seems to be split 50/50. I don't want to risk infection but it was my savior. I am planning on trying to do 3 - 10 min. Walks and also I used to do prenatal yoga off of YouTube so I'll try to do what I can. I have heard from friends that yoga made their deliveries easier! I am such an active person and all I feel is Fat now and hate the scale:/ any sign of preterm labor for you? What exercise did you decide?

bluebird0521 · June 2014

@amwenz I wish I could swim but I have no pool

and the YMCA just doesn't sound clean enough for my peace of mind being so dilated (6cm now).

I am having contractions on and off, but it is so random. I will have one really strong one and then 4 hours later have a little one that I barely notice. I have decided to walk, stretch, and do about 10 minutes of yoga. I also have these little 2lb weights that I use but I sit in a chair while doing it. They are so light and it seems silly but I don't want to over-do it and I haven't lifted anything in so long that after a bunch of reps I notice a difference.

How are you feeling lately, any contractions?

amwenz · June 2014

My last spout of contractions was Thurs. for about four hours but nothing timetable and sometimes just cramps. I've had stomach aches this weekend though and a change in discharge. I have 2 NST this week and my doc apt. Is on Fri. So we will see. Baby's head was so low it hurt so bad trying to turn over to sleep:( I also walked today just for 10min. And did almost 20 of yoga. It was so nice to stretch muscles that haven't been stretched! Are you getting excited? Nervous? I'd like to make it 2 more weeks but we will see! Do you have a name picked out? @bluebird1109‌

bluebird0521 · June 2014

@amwenz I feel like we have really similar symptoms. I was up last night from my pelvis is hurting so bad since his head is so low. I had to take a nap today because I could barely keep my eyes open. It still hurts but it isn't as bad as last night. I am excited and nervous, but really I am just so curious to see what he looks like! Hopefully everything goes well at your appointments and baby stays in for two more weeks for you. I am hoping to get at least one more week since I am so dilated. I don't know if I can last two weeks but you never know, he could surprise us all. You are doing much better than me with exercise today. I have only been able to walk, last night drained me. Now that I have had a nap I'm going to try to get some yoga in.

We decided to name him Theodore. What about you, do you have a name picked out?

amwenz · June 2014

@bluebird1109‌ I hear ya. I hate night times. It's like everything comes out at night symptom wise. I take showers almost every night in the middle of the night to try to relax. I've been rolling on a ball- if you don't have one make your husband go to target! The last few days I've found I can sleep with headphones in and music on...whatever works right? I hope you can hold out a bit longer! Were so close to full term:) If it's a girl her name will be Paige and if it's a boy we're thinking John Phillip and probably going to call him JP. I'm not sold on John but it is after family members. I wanted Phillip so it's kinda a compromise I'm coming to! Im also dying to know what they look like it's been a little over 10 weeks since my last u/s but mostly I'm dying to know boy or girl!

bluebird0521 · June 2014

I am the worst at surprises, and so is DH. We always cave and give each other our presents for birthdays, holidays and anniversaries early. I wanted to wait to find out but we caved like always! haha.

I have been wanting to get a ball, I will have to send DH to the store to grab one. I wonder how much longer we will be able to stay pregnant! I am so nervous about my water breaking since I am so dilated. I hope that I have contractions first, I live about 40 minutes from the hospital and my doctor said that as soon as I feel something I need to get in the car because if I wait to time contractions I may not make it. That comment has me on edge!

@amwenz

amwenz · June 2014

@bluebird1109‌ Ugh I am dealing with the worst brown smelly discharge:( I went to l&d this morning at 4:30 am. My doctor said it was related to the crinone suppositories and then bacteria attaching. however, I'm waiting for him to call me now because it has filled the toilet multiple times and my back is killing me. I just don't want baby in distress:/ how are you hanging in there today? When you didn't respond yday I was thinking a baby was born!

bluebird0521 · June 2014

@amwenz Just so you know, my back killing me was seriously my only symptom when I went into the doctors about 2 weeks ago and I was 5 cm already and in labor! It was nuts. When I called my mom she said she walked around all day thinking she just had an awful backache and finally went into the hospital because she was miserable, and my sister was born not even 20 minutes after she got there. Not trying to scare you lol I'm just saying, if you are concerned I would definitely go get checked out again, especially with those symptoms! But I am also super paranoid haha.

I haven't been feeling well

I haven't been on because I have been sleeping a lot and having contractions a little bit more frequently but not enough to go to L&D. This stop and go labor is just miserable.

I hope everything is OK with you, I definitely agree that you don't want the baby in distress. Did your doctor prescribe anything for the bacteria? I would hate to have an infection spread and cause your membranes to rupture or cause some other complication.

amwenz · June 2014

@bluebird1109‌ I hear you on this stop and go. I don't think my husband believes it's starting the process but I know it is. the nurse called me back and doc said as long as it isn't bright red blood he's ok with what's coming out. ugh..,it's very unsettling. I've done two pills of antibiotics today and will continue for 6 more days. I see doc on Friday...hopefully things are looking up by then. I don't want baby to come yet, but I'm frustrated and tired. I sleep between 1-3 hrs. A night and that's it:( info nap when I can during the day but I think that and hormones it's wearing me thin. so, what does your doctor say...have they told you they expect you to be delivering this baby soon?! Hang in there...we can do this!

bluebird0521 · June 2014

@amwenz Actually I am in labor now. It is terrible because my labor has stalled, and for the last 24 I have gotten 1 hour of sleep. I am sitting at 7cm, 90% effaced with contractions 6 minutes apart. They won't help my labor along because I am before 39 weeks. I don't want the baby to be early, but at the same time since he is obviously coming early I don't understand how it makes sense to physically drain me like this. The pain is awful and I can't sleep through it. They sent me home and said not to come back until my contractions get closer together or my water breaks. I am amazed it is still intact! So here I am trying to stay hydrated and deal with the pain, waiting for this plateau to end and baby to arrive...

I can definitely relate to getting no sleep and being miserable. Your appointment is this Friday? I hope that we both feel better soon!!

amwenz · June 2014

@bluebird1109‌ Oh no! But then again Oh yay! you're closer to meeting that baby boy:) how are you holding up? Are you able to walk through the contractions? I also love shower and baths...give that a try if you're water hasn't broken yet. There are also some good breathing videos on you tube you can follow along. I can imagine when I go into labor I will not be able to sleep...I don't know how some women can. I pray that even though this part is tough the pushing will be quick and as painless as possible. My infection seems to be clearing up...the gross smell is gone and I didn't have discharge falling in the toilet today. I did start spotting last night and for awhile today so I. Assuming that's another impending labor sign. I am hoping my bp is fine tmrw and no protein because it seems like I'm putting on more weight now than I should. Saying a prayer for you and I''m sure I will be back on tonight during my boughs of insomnia! good luck;)

bluebird0521 · June 2014

@amwenz I can't walk through the contractions but I can sway side to side if that makes sense. I am doing okay, I am going to try a shower to see if that can relax me enough to get some sleep.

I am so happy to hear that your infection seems to be clearing up! Yay! I will keep my fingers crossed that your bp is fine. I had a girlfriend gain a lot of weight towards the end of her pregnancy and she was swelling a lot too. She was also concerned about having bp problems/pre-e but luckily everything turned out just fine. I hope the same is true for you!

Maybe labor is in the near future for you, but I hope you can reach your goal of 37 weeks. I am sure I will be back on as well. I am trying to stay sane during this whole thing.

amwenz · June 2014

@bluebird1109‌ how ya hanging in there? Contractions any closer?

bluebird0521 · June 2014

@amwenz they aren't any closer, but they are a little stronger. I was able to catch some sleep from 11:30pm to 1:30am. I woke up and tried to relax a bit, and was able to go back to bed from 3:00am to 6:00am. I feel a lot better emotionally now that I have slept. My stomach is sooo sore though and so are my legs (probably from walking so much after bed rest).

I am wondering if baby is not in a good position. I know he is vertex but I can't find anything on whether he could be vertex but still not in a favorable position within the pelvis if that makes any sense. DH and I are going to try some spinning babies techniques today to see if that helps.

What about you, did you get some sleep last night? Good luck at your appointment today, I hope everything goes well!!

amwenz · June 2014

@bluebird1109‌ how are you surviving? I hope things are progressing or going ok. Doc apt. And NST were un eventful today so that's good. Hoping for a boring few days.

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