Fighting the Bed Rest Blues

A prescription for bed rest during pregnancy can sometimes sound like a treat, but the truth of the matter is, whatever the cause, a pregnant woman would usually much rather not be bedridden. Having endured several weeks of bed rest myself with my second pregnancy, I can relate first hand to the challenges faced.

So what do you do if you are faced with bed rest? What can you do to avoid the negative side effects of taking positively the best care you can of your baby and your body?

Here's my Top Ten List of Ways to Avoid the Bed Rest Blues:

1.Look at the bright side. I know, it sounds obvious, but being on bed rest is difficult. It can be emotionally draining and it can be physically draining too, depending on the circumstances. Keeping a positive outlook can be vital to getting through this trying time. Remember, you are doing what you need to do for your baby and your family by following the doctors orders. Putting some positive in your day will help immensely to keep the blues away. Make gratitude lists, seek out positive people and avoid negativity as much as possible.

2.Plan ahead. Plan your time. Plan your day. It may seem odd to plan your day around things like a craft project or a shower, but making a schedule for yourself will help you to feel more productive. It is often a big change for women who are used to “doing” so much and then find themselves just “being”. Sitting back and being isn't a bad thing, but our minds might feel otherwise when the change is sudden.

3.Reconnect. Use the opportunity to reconnect with some old friends and family. Call up those people you have been meaning to call but never find the time, write hand written letters to friends and loved ones, reconnect with people on facebook who you are “friends” with but you don't get to chat with regularly.

4.Connect. This is a perfect opportunity to get to know other mothers expecting and experiencing similar challenges. Websites like babycenter.com and cafemom.com offer great ways to connect with other mommies-to-be and also with moms who have already been through what you may be going through. You might also try social networking sites like Twitter to get to know other people with similar interests and/or challenges. Not only is this a great time to connect but it is good for you to be social, even if it is hard to “get out” right now.

5.Exercise. You will need to check with your physician, but there are exercises that can be done from bed or from the floor without exerting too much effort. Losing muscle tone and stamina comes with the territory of long term bed rest. Check this article out for some ideas, and please ask your doctor first before trying any kind of exercise while on bed rest. Participating in regular exercise can help lift your mood, keep your blood circulating well, and help with that loss of muscle tone I mentioned previously.

6.Pay attention to your family members. Your other children may be worried and upset by the disruption in schedules. Your spouse might be maxed out by all of the new demands. Although this is extremely trying for you as well, make sure to take some quiet time to connect and talk with these members of your family that are affected also. Praise your spouse for their help and support when given. Write thank you notes to those who are providing extra help for your family. Start or continue the reading ritual with your children who really want to have that quality time with their mom. Spending 20 to 30 minutes each day reading with your kids can do wonders for them and you, too. Baby in your belly will likely enjoy the sound of your voice while reading. If you have older children, they can read to you, and baby will likely enjoy hearing their voice as well.

7.Get crafty. This is it. This is the time you have been waiting for...okay, not really, but might as well make the most of it! Start crafting or a hobby that you have been really wanting to try. Have you been wanting to learn how to knit, cross-stitch or crochet? What about scrapbooking? You may have physical limitations, but the options are likely to be limitless. Don't forget to ask other moms on bed rest for recommendations of crafts or hobbies that they enjoy, you might just discover something you never thought of trying before. If it is anywhere near the holidays, you can get a head start on gifts with your new homemade crafts.

8.Read. As I mentioned previously, reading is good for you (I know you know this already). Reading keeps your mind active, it stimulates the imagination, and it relieves stress by transporting us away from our own worries. Check for books at your local library and ask a friend or family member to go pick them up. Don't forget to ask friends for recommendations or if they have books they can loan you. I highly recommend reading some good fiction... let the worlds that lie inside the books whisk you away for a while.

9.Write. Journal your feelings. Chronicle your days or write to the baby. Perhaps you are a writer at heart and have always wanted to do some major writing but never had the time before? Now you do, at least for the time being. See if you can get your creative juices flowing and write short stories, poetry, or even that novel that has been waiting to come out.

10.Volunteer. Yes, volunteer from bed! Nothing will make you feel better than knowing you are doing good with your time and for the benefit of others. You can become a pen pal, write letters for human rights organizations, join a prayer team. You could write letters to soldiers overseas or cards for those in the hospital. You might ask a local nursing home if there is anyone who would enjoy corresponding or even talking on the phone for a few minutes each day or each week.

Bed rest can be a low time for many women. It is challenging to say the least. My hope is that this list will help to keep the blues at bay and also to help you brainstorm other ideas for making the most of this challenging time.

Please share this list with members of your community. Let others know they are not alone during their time of bed rest!

Additional resources regarding bed rest:
Pregnancy & Baby: Bedrest Exercise
Baby Center: Bed Rest: How to Cope
Mayo Clinic: Pregnancy bed rest: When it's needed, what it means
American Pregnancy Association Bed Rest
Storknet's Bedrest Survival Guide