What You Should Know: Coping While on Pregnancy-Related Bed Rest

Bed rest is a difficult time for pregnant women. They're worried about their bodies and their babies, hoping to make it to a certain date so that their baby will be healthy. It can be difficult emotionally for other reasons as well...loss of confidence in one's ability to carry a child, and the boredom from being on bed rest, the stress from not being able to get things done or help your partner, these things can have a negative emotional impact on a woman who is trying to alleviate stress so that she can carry her baby to term or as close to it as possible.

There are many risk factors that can put a woman on bed rest. From small risk factors to big, any of them can be just as stressful as another. Some of those risks are below:

Spotting or bleeding during pregnancy

Preterm Labor

Carrying Multiples

Incompetent Cervix

Pre-eclampsia/Toxemia

Placental problems

Previous miscarriages or abortions

These are only some of the most common reasons a woman might be on bed rest. There are other reasons as well. No matter how you ended up in this position though, the question left is "What now?"

Bed rest can take its toll on a woman. Not only does she have outside stressors, laying in bed for days on end is extremely boring. Though there are things you can do to try to entertain yourself, you're going to get bored with all of them. However, here is a list of things you can do to try to pass the time:

Puzzles (jigsaw or of the paper variety) and games.

Television (including DVDs)

Keep up with friends via the phone.

Find some penpals

If you can afford a laptop, the internet can be your best friend. You can make and keep in touch with friends, peruse websites looking for baby clothes, buy groceries, or stock up on things you'll need for when the baby comes.

Fill out surveys for companies that pay.

Contact the baby product companies to sign up for coupons, samples, and newsletters.

Take up a hobby like knitting, or cross stitch your new baby birth sampler while you still have time.

Start a journal

Organize photo albums or try your hand at scrapbooking.

Try reading parenting books. I suggest anything by Dr. Sears.

Other things that are important to do if you're on bed rest:

Get friends or family to help out with the chores like running a vacuum or doing a load of laundry. They won't mind.

Get your husband or your family/friends to help with meals.

Have your friends go to the library or post office for you. They won't mind running small errands.

Have your friends bring you old magazines.

Sidelines

There is an organization out there that offers help, information, and support to women who are stuck on bed rest. I recommend checking out Sidelines if you find yourself stuck in bed.

Remember, if your doctor places you on bed rest, there is a reason. It is important for your baby to make it to term so they have less possible health consequences. I know how difficult it can be. I was on bed rest myself. Remember that in the whole scheme of things, this is actually a very short time in your life, and it is worth every day that you have to spend bored out of your gourd.