Precautionary bedrest order... what do you think? Do I HAVE to? :(

[reborn]

UGH.  I am 40 weeks tomorrow, and feeling fine and normal.  Today at my midwife appointment, I somehow seemed to have gained 4 pounds since last week.  I think there must have been a difference in my clothes' weight or something... idk.  Anyways, I have had really bad edema w/pitting in my feet and ankles for at least a month now (with no significant change/increase/decrease over the past two weeks), but NO other signs of pre-eclampsia.  In fact my BP was 100/68 today.  I have no swelling anywhere else.

I met with a new birth assistant in training for my appointment today and she had never seen me before.  No one else has freaked out about my swelling (granted, my feet DO look really scary) so far, but I guess combined with the large weight gain, she was concerned.  She told me she'd consult with the midwife and give me a call, but that she thought I needed to go on full bedrest, laying on my left side, in case my kidneys weren't functioning properly or I was starting to get pre-eclamptic.  She also gave me the whole rundown I've heard 1000 times about eating enough protein, drinking enough water, eating a couple eggs a day, eating cucumber and watermelon, immersing in water, etc. etc. etc. (most/all of which I have been doing already).  She later called and said that my midwife did indeed want me to go on bedrest until my next appt on July 7.

I really do not want to go on complete bedrest (only getting up to use the bathroom and get food) at this point!  It's already been hard enough keeping the house clean, pantry stocked, and ready for the birth (I'm having a home birth).

I'm wondering how bad it would be to ignore or modify this?  Obviously if I started feeling badly, started swelling anywhere else, seeing spots, having pain, etc. I would do the bedrest and notify my midwife.  I just feel like this is overkill and I'd also really like to be able to be active (walking, yoga) to help with discomfort and bring on labor.

Thoughts???  Thanks! <3

[singin_angel]

I would find this an odd request especially if your BP has been normal (consistent for you and definately not above 140/90). Is there protein in your urine (not sure if you check)? Vision changes? Headaches?

Without those signs, I probably would be inclined to get a second opinion or have a midwife who as already seen me to get me in and see them. It makes me wonder if all the information was relayed to the midwife correctly.

I hope you keep feeling well and that it all gets sorted out soon!

[SuburbanHippie]

With your bp being okay, I'm not getting why they were so concerned.  Pitted edema without any other symptoms is considered normal for this time in pregnancy.  Honestly, I wouldn't be doing bed rest if I was you.  I would try to drink LOTS of water though and keep my feel elevated. 

[reborn]

Originally Posted by singin_angel 

I would find this an odd request especially if your BP has been normal (consistent for you and definately not above 140/90). Is there protein in your urine (not sure if you check)? Vision changes? Headaches?

Without those signs, I probably would be inclined to get a second opinion or have a midwife who as already seen me to get me in and see them. It makes me wonder if all the information was relayed to the midwife correctly.

I hope you keep feeling well and that it all gets sorted out soon!

No protein (did a pee dip), vision changes, or headache.   I do very occasionally see spots, but that has been the case my ENTIRE life, and I think it's due to low blood pressure (which runs in my family).  My BP was slightly low today, but in my normal range. (edited to add: the ONLY change this week from the norm was the sudden 4 lb weight gain.  Like I said, I've had major swelling for several weeks and the midwife hasn't been concerned due to lack of other symptoms.  Plus it's been hot and I'm like 50 lbs heavier than normal! lol)

Yeah, I was a little annoyed to not get to talk to my actual midwife today, or at least a birth assistant who has seen me before, especially if they were going to advise something so drastic.  Course, I am easily annoyed these days too. haha

[reborn]

Originally Posted by SuburbanHippie 
 Honestly, I wouldn't be doing bed rest if I was you.  I would try to drink LOTS of water though and keep my feel elevated. 

That's what I want to hear! teehee...

Def trying to drink a lot (as usual).  The feet elevated thing is pretty much as bad as bed rest!  I have def been slacking on that because it doesn't seem to help much, or, if it does, the swelling comes right back once I go back to normal activity.  Do you know if there's any ill effect that can come from just letting your feet be swollen?  I mean, if the concern is just that it is a SIGN of something serious, then the swelling itself isn't actually a problem, other than being uncomfortable, right?

[tourist.]

ITA with the others, and ditto SuburbanHippie. 

As long as there are no other symptoms, then bedrest is overkill IMO.  I agree that I would try to get in to see, or at least talk to, your midwife to make sure she has all the details straight before accepting something like bedrest.  No fun.

And as far as I know, on it's own - swelling is not a sign of something more serious.  It's the combination of swelling/vision changes/pain/high bp/protein etc that are signs of something more. 

From personal experience, my last pregnancy I was gaining a lot of water weight at the end, several pounds a week (I think one week it was four pounds like you).  Because it was the only issue I was having, there wasn't much concern from my care providers.  I'm actually interested to see how much I've gained between last appt and the one scheduled today...My feet are feeling awfully poofy today.

[reborn]

Originally Posted by tourist. 

From personal experience, my last pregnancy I was gaining a lot of water weight at the end, several pounds a week (I think one week it was four pounds like you).  Because it was the only issue I was having, there wasn't much concern from my care providers.  I'm actually interested to see how much I've gained between last appt and the one scheduled today...My feet are feeling awfully poofy today.

Thank you so much for telling me this!  Nice to have some affirmation that I'm not the only one.  I know it must be water because my eating patterns are the same and I don't feel or look any bigger really.  My mom, chiro, etc. have all said (exclaimed!) they've never seen feet as fat as mine.  They do look like loaves of bread.  I always thought foot swelling was super common during summer pregnancies so I've been a little surprised that other people seem disturbed by it.  

[Conchobhar]

DDCC - Like Tourist, I gained and retained a lot of water in my last pregnancy (and I gained 80 lbs, so don't feel bad about your weight gain).  My MWs never acted concerned by the swelling alone (and I started swelling at 5 months!).  They always asked the same questions (seeing spots, etc) and as long as I said no, they brushed it off.  I would say ask for a visit with your normal MW to verify her wishes with you face to face (who knows, the other person might have exaggerated your symptoms?) and in the meantime, put your feet up (and enjoy it!  You long for such things when the baby comes), drink water, do what they've asked for you to do in the past and try not to stress about it.  But I'd say full-on bedrest is a little silly at this point.

[DrBrockBaca]

What exactly are they trying to prevent by putting you on bed rest? That doesn't make sense at all if you are full-term and your bp is normal. 

FYI, research has failed to demonstrate the benefits of bed rest in pregnancy for virtually every condition it is prescribed for (mostly to prevent pre-term labor). In many cases, bed rest does more harm than good. 

[Mizyellow]

Just so you know I have pitted edema in my ankles and gained 4 lbs last week too! We must look like twins! Besides being sympathetic my MW hasn't said anything about it. I would def call back tomorrow and ask ?s

[reborn]

Originally Posted by DrBrockBaca 

What exactly are they trying to prevent by putting you on bed rest? That doesn't make sense at all if you are full-term and your bp is normal. 

FYI, research has failed to demonstrate the benefits of bed rest in pregnancy for virtually every condition it is prescribed for (mostly to prevent pre-term labor). In many cases, bed rest does more harm than good. 

Honestly, I am not sure... she said something about there being a possibility of my kidneys not functioning properly. (I have no clue how that would work) She also said it is their "policy" to order bedrest for anyone who gains more than 2 lbs in a week.  She is new, and I think would not yet have the freedom to use her own judgement so I have a feeling it was mostly all about her upholding the "policy". :P  I'm debating calling the midwife tomorrow; the office is closed on Fridays and I am starting to feel pretty comfy with the idea of just listening to my body and doing what I feel is ok.

Interesting point about bedrest... I have always wondered exactly what it's supposed to do.  I would think being active would help get my labor started, and if I am at risk for developing some complication, the sooner I deliver the better, right?

Originally Posted by Mizyellow 

Just so you know I have pitted edema in my ankles and gained 4 lbs last week too! We must look like twins! Besides being sympathetic my MW hasn't said anything about it. I would def call back tomorrow and ask ?s

LOL thanks for commiserating.  My ankles (or the place where they used to be) have like double or triple ROLLS when I stand!  It's sooo funny looking.  I have to remember to take a picture so I can laugh at it later.  BTW, I checked out my legs really carefully when I came home and my entire leg up to about my knee does look like it might be slightly puffier than usual.  I've gained so much weight it's hard for me to tell what is fat and what is swelling.

[mamahen2coop]

Originally Posted by DrBrockBaca 

What exactly are they trying to prevent by putting you on bed rest? That doesn't make sense at all if you are full-term and your bp is normal. 

FYI, research has failed to demonstrate the benefits of bed rest in pregnancy for virtually every condition it is prescribed for (mostly to prevent pre-term labor). In many cases, bed rest does more harm than good. 

[SuburbanHippie]

Mandatory bed rest if you gain more than 2 lbs in a week???  I would have been on bed rest during my first trimester.  LOL.

[tourist.]

Originally Posted by SuburbanHippie 

Mandatory bed rest if you gain more than 2 lbs in a week???  I would have been on bed rest during my first trimester.  LOL.

Um...yea!  That's bordering on pure crazy.  2 lbs?!  I fluctuate two pounds inside a day.  

[DrBrockBaca]

She also said it is their "policy" to order bedrest for anyone who gains more than 2 lbs in a week. 

That is absolutely ridiculous. I would call your midwife, and if she can't give you a good explanation of exactly why you should be on bed rest and exactly what they are trying to prevent, I would just do whatever you feel like. Obviously don't over-do it, but I can't imagine how bed rest would help you. 

[reborn]

Thanks so much for the all the input, ladies.  I had never heard about this supposed policy until today... I think I've mostly likely gained 2lbs+ several times throughout the pregnancy, but I was only going to monthly appts and my monthly weight gain never exceeded 7 lbs at a time, so maybe that's why it's never been brought up before.  It sure seems like between baby growth, mama weight gain, and possible inaccuracy due to clothing weights, 2 lbs is an awfully small cap.  I agree with tourist-- I fluctuate 2 lbs in a 24 hour period, easily! :P

Anyways, I'm up at 3:30 AM because I woke up  from a dead sleep, ravenous... and also *ahem* used the bathroom in a serious way, and noticed the baby seems several inches lower than when I went to bed.  Seriously low!  Maybe "something" is happening and I won't even need to be worried about this anyway!  I can hope!!  *fingers crossed*

[reborn]

*something* was indeed happening!  Baby Eli Alan was born at 8:09 am, July 2nd!  So glad I didn't do bedrest... I spent Friday cleaning the house and finishing organizing baby stuff instead! :-)  Water broke at 10:30 PM.

[mamahen2coop]

congrats!

[Maurine]

DDCC -- Congrats!!  Is your swelling better?

(Reading along I was going to respond...last week I had every symptom of pre-E except high BP--vision changes, 6 pound weight gain in 2 days, fatigue, pitting edema, and swelling in feet, face and hands.  Both an OB and a MW at my practice barely batted an eye since my BP was normal.  They did run blood work, but all was well and absolutely no mention of bedrest.)

[teraze]

Originally Posted by reborn 

*something* was indeed happening!  Baby Eli Alan was born at 8:09 am, July 2nd!  So glad I didn't do bedrest... I spent Friday cleaning the house and finishing organizing baby stuff instead! :-)  Water broke at 10:30 PM.

SQUEE!  Congratulations.  :)