Bed Rest

seasalt123 · February 2016

I know at least a couple of us are on bed rest, whether it be in the hospital or at home. I thought I would create a thread for us to check in on each other and to welcome any late comers who either get a temporary or permanent bed rest order.

I've been in and out of the hospital (back in right now) on bed rest since 20 weeks + 6 days with a chronic placental abruption. I'm now 30 weeks + 4 days. I'm on bed rest until the end (though I am permitted smallish walks around the ward throughout the day). If an emergency arises, that could be any day. If things stay reasonably stable, doctors figure they will induce between 34 - 37 weeks.

Medical concerns/fears aside, what's been hardest for me? Complete loss of activity and strength. I used to be so proud of how strong my back was and how many chin ups I could do. My back is now so weak and bony feeling and I worry about how I will handle labor. I guess the second thing would be grieving the loss of the 'normal' pregnancy I thought I was going to have. Up until 20 weeks, I didn't even have morning sickness and had loads of energy. Now I don't even know when I will deliver, how I will deliver, where I will deliver or who will be in charge of my care. A lot of uncertainty!

What are hospital bag must haves (necessities like tooth paste aside)? A portable DVD player if there's no wifi. Baby wipes. Upgraded talk and data plan for cell phone (if there's no wifi). Coloring book. Books to read. Computer/tablet if there is wifi (but be careful to secure them when you leave your room). LIP BALM and lotion - hospital air is so, so dry. If your stay is longer, nail clippers! I looked like Edward Scissorhands by the time I remembered to ask for some the first time. Slippers to walk around in. I don't knit/crochet or craft but I do envy the people who do. In my ward they also supply some entertainment in the lounge room such as puzzles and craft days but in my previous hospital there wasn't much. Any medication or supplements you need right away. Hospital pharmacies are so slow to order stuff in and, personally, I prefer to take the prenatals I had already been taking. Just make sure to let the nurses know. Ear plugs - if you forget and need them most hospitals wil have these though.

That's it for now as I don't know how many of us there are so it may be crickets in this thread.

TheThornBird · February 2016

I'm not on bed rest, but I'm so sorry you're going through this. I'm having a tough time dealing with the loss of strength and muscle (yup, no more chin ups for me either), I can't imagine how much harder it must be for you.

One thing that has helped me is doing tons of visualization exercises; back when I used to dance, we used visualization a lot and it really helps. Athletes use it often, and I believe studies have shown you can increase skill and strength levels a *lot* through doing visualization only, with no physical practice. I also use it to help with all my tight pelvic/hip muscles. I can dig up some more information on it for you, if you'd like.

JennyS86 · February 2016

Hi there! It takes a strong Mama to be on hospital bed rest!

I am not on full bed rest, but my OBs recommended "reduced activity" for me due to preterm labor concerns and my history of preterm birth. 2 years ago, I went into preterm labor at 25wk 3days, and stayed on hospital bed rest for 4 days before I delivered twin girls at 26weeks exactly. I was hoping to be on bed rest much longer than that!

Last time around, I had flips flops brought in for me so that getting up to use the bathroom wasn't such an ordeal! I also had my husband bring in a towel and pillow from home. I used an eye cover to sleep with, and my husband also brought a blanket for the nights he slept over. My MIL brought a bunch of magazines, like PEOPLE, to pass the time, but I so didn't care about celebrities at that point!

I started having mild contractions with this singleton pregnancy at 18 weeks, and I am now 27 weeks! I've been into the triage department at the hospital twice for contractions, but so far, so dilating yet, so I can stay at home. I've been trying to reduce my activity as much as possible because I believe that it will help my pregnancy last longer, even though I understand that bed rest isn't recommended as often as it used to be. Maybe I like that it makes me feel like I am doing Something that help in such a helpless situation.

I also get anxious easily because my current mild contractions feel the same as they did when I was actually laboring with the twins. Confusing!

To share an inspirational story: my coworker's water broke at 26weeks, and she stayed on hospital bed rest for 8 weeks, until she was induced at 34 weeks. She's my hero. This was a surrogate pregnancy, and she missed her 2 kids at home so much!

destriweir · February 2016

I've been on hospital bedrest since I was 25 weeks. I was super-excited to make it to the 28 week milestone on Friday. I hope I can make it several weeks further, but I'm dealing with intermittent absent end diastolic flow, so the minute it reverses, I'm having a baby.

I agree with all of the items recommended above. I also brought a humidifer because the room was so dry, and I brought my own blanket and pillow from home. My sister decorated my room, and that has made it a little less dreary here. Luckily there is free wifi (but it's terrible, and I've been using my phone as a hotspot most of the time). There is also a DVD player, and a mini-fridge, which has been great for storing healty snacks. There isn't enough fresh fruit or fresh vegetables (everything is a potato or steamed to death) on the hospital menu, so I like being able to store it in the room.

I've been staying sane by trying to maintain a schedule every day (and getting dressed, even if it is just yoga pants and a tank top), and by working. I am so lucky that I have a desk job that I've been allowed to do at the hospital.

Still, I ran a half marathon in December, and was really active right until I was admitted. I miss being able to walk and run freely (I can only get up to use the bathroom, shower, or get dressed), and I have to have wheelchair rides to leave the room.

It's not an ideal place to be and it's definitely not what I imagined, but my baby boy (and my crappy placenta) are doing much better here in the hospital, so I'll be happy to stick around for several more weeks.

JennyS86 · February 2016

Congrats on the 28week mark! (next Saturday can't come fast enough for me!)

It's great that you have a mini-fridge! My hospital has good food...but has the same taste after a while.

Also, how are they monitoring you? Do you have daily NSTs? just curious

destriweir · February 2016

I have twice daily NSTs, and then twice weekly BPPs. If the flow reverses, and he's in distress, they'll more than likely pick up heart rate decels on the NST. The BPPs are mostly to check the flow. We have a growth scan every 3 weeks because he's right on the edge of being growth restricted from the intermittent flow. I was upset that I only had one sono in the first 20 weeks, but I've since more than made up for it:)

How about you? Have you gotten used to the NSTs? For the first week or so, every single one was stressful for me, but now I'm calm enough to read while he's on the monitor. He monitors well, but he's a wiggly little thing.

Also, you're so close to 28 weeks, so good luck this week. Every doctor and nurse here breathed a sigh of relief once we got to 28. Now we're hoping for 32.

seasalt123 · February 2016

Looks like there are a few of us on either bed rest, reduced activity or past experience. @TheThornBird yes please do send me more information.

I too am so familiar with the milestone countdown. I remember when I was first admitted at 20 weeks, I shared a room with a 26 week woman. After that I had a 36 week roomie when I was 22 weeks. I remember feeling so resentful that their babies were viable. I know that is an awful thing to say, and I didn't wish them any ill will, it just made my own situation so much harder especially when I could see how much more attention they got from doctors. As I was told, 'there's not much we can do for your baby if something happens but we need to monitor you in case your vitals drop'. 24 weeks was a major celebration but still so scary because of all the complications. 28 weeks was a massive milestone. After 32 weeks my doctor has told me that a live baby born at this age has the same long term prognosis (in terms of disability) and survival rate as a 40
week baby. So let's all aim to hang in there until then!

A humidifier is is a great idea. I sometimes run the shower water just to combat the dryness.

I get growth scans every two weeks and an NST only twice a week. They check my vitals and the baby's heartbeat twice a day.

Man I can't handle hospital food. Luckily my SO brings me food so I am not dependent on it. One of the nurses was telling me that women who live in this ward for a long time often develop diabetes and she's sure the food has something to do with. No clue if that is true but it doesn't look healthy or appetizing.

What is wrong with your placenta @destriweir

destriweir · February 2016

@seasalt123

I have intermittent absent end diastolic flow. The MFM thought it was completely absent when I was admitted, but bedrest actually seems to have helped the flow improve. It's a pretty dire diagnosis if you google it, but since I've made it to 28 weeks, things aren't quite as frightening. I may also be dealing with IUGR as a result, but I just don't know yet. He's measured small, but not quite below the 10th percentile yet. He's been measuring small since the anatomy scan, but my doctor didn't seem concerned until the 24 week sono (which I only got because I'm high-risk due to my age). So, for almost 25 weeks, I had a pretty blissful pregnancy.

I understand the resentment in general about other people's pregnancies/milestones. I've largely gotten over it now, but I remember (back when I was in L&D on the verge of having a 25-weeker) reading The Bump and other websites and feeling upset because it seemed like everyone else was worried about such trivial things. Of course, just one week before, my biggest concerns were getting the nursery painted and who to invite to my shower.

My SO has been pretty fantastic about bringing me food when he can, but we have his two daughters 50% of the time, so in addition to spending as much time as he can wiht me, he's also been being a single dad, taking care of our dogs, and running a household by himself. I am incredibly impressed with how well he's managing it all.

I;m so happy you've made it as far as you have. More than 30 weeks is a great place to be, and you're just a bit away from 32. Best wishes for making it that long or even longer.

JennyS86 · February 2016

destriweir said:

How about you? Have you gotten used to the NSTs? For the first week or so, every single one was stressful for me, but now I'm calm enough to read while he's on the monitor. He monitors well, but he's a wiggly little thing.

Also, you're so close to 28 weeks, so good luck this week. Every doctor and nurse here breathed a sigh of relief once we got to 28. Now we're hoping for 32.

I haven't had any formal NSTs yet this pregnancy- just being hooked up to the monitor when the contractions get worse.
We celebrate every little milestone! For 27 weeks, I am celebrating that this baby is probably nearing 2lbs, if he/she hasn't already! (this helped us immensely when our twins were in the nicu - not just during pregnancy).

JennyS86 · February 2016

seasalt123 Oh I hear you on the jealousy thing! When the twins were in the nicu, I was jealous of any baby born after their gestation - even the 28weekers! I would never wish a 26weeker on anyone, but I admit that I was bitter towards those families.
Sometimes I even find myself feeling resentment toward Mamas due at the beginning of May because they are 4 weeks ahead of me! I understand this irrational bitterness and then let it go. I would never wish a high risk pregnancy or a preemie on anyone!

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