Many women are placed on bed rest for the last month or two of their pregnancies. While there are many different reasons why bed rest is ordered, it won’t make it any easier to deal with. If you start to feel frustrated, try to remember that it won’t last forever, and that you’re helping to keep your baby healthy.
Here are some tips on how to cope while on bed rest:
Complete your birth plan.
This is a great time to lay out exactly how you want to have the baby. You’ll have the time to consider all of your options, such as delivering naturally or with the help of medication. You can also decide who you want in your birthing room and you can make a list of items that need to be packed for the big occasion.
Shop for you baby.
This is a great time check out the many new products available for newborns and infants. You can search online via laptop right from your bed. Sign up for newsletters from retailers that offer baby items, and you’ll be the first to be notified of sales and special offers.
Get in touch with friends and family.
The time you spend on bed rest is a great time to reconnect with people you have grown apart from. Whether by phone, email, or with a personal visit from them, you’ll be glad to have your friends and family members awaiting your big day with you. It’s a great support system as well.
Re-read your favorite book.
Catching up on your reading can really be a great way to keep yourself occupied during bed rest. You won’t be getting much rest soon anyway, so this can be a great time check out the newest novel or how to book. Enjoy your quiet time now, while you still can!
Find a craft you enjoy.
Whether it’s crocheting, scrap booking, or another craft, you’ll have plenty of time to complete finish old projects or start a new one. Keep a basket full of supplies by your bed. Seeing a finished product will give you a feeling of accomplishment as well.
Locate pregnancy related forums and blogs.
This is a great way to communicate with women who are going through the same thing as you and establish a support group to help you cope with your bed rest. Many times, these other women will have terrific advice on how to help pass the time and what to look forward to in the months ahead.
Learn another language.
If you’ve always wanted to speak a second language, this is as good a time as any to do so. You can find many free language programs online and there are also several programs for sale that include audio CDs and DVDs that you can use from the comfort of your bed.
Catch up on some of your favorite movies.
This is a great time to watch all those movies you missed the year before and haven’t been able to find the time to watch. You can find several online sites that rent movies for very minimal monthly fees, and many of these sites carry full seasons of television shows available as well.
