[BethLS]

Anyone have any ideas?

I was put on BR last Tuesday because I was thinning out...Thursday I went into labor and finally got that stopped at 3 cms. Went home on Saturday on Procardia with strict bedrest.

Having never did bedrest with dd1, this is all new to me, and I must say, boring. However anything to keep kiddling inside till at least 35 weeks is alllll worth it.

ALSO, my wonderful doctor found out after finally getting my surgical report, that I DO NOT have a classical C/S, and if all works out well with babe, I can go for a VBAC.

Sidenote: My OB birthed all of her babies in a local birth center, minus one "oops" she had at home

. DH is absolutely thrilled (For a man who doesn't like our "crunchy ways" but 'puts up' with them, he told me last night that he wouldn't be happier if I had dd2 naturally just like I had always wanted) Hmm minus the whole hospital part I guess

However, now I am kinda of scared about it! How silly is that? With dd1 I dreamed of having her au natural at home and when that didn't happen and they said I had a classical, all thoughts of delivering vaginally just went out the door. And now that isn't the case, and I can deliver vaginally...well I am just overwhelmed for some reason. I guess I am just really scared about doing it in the hospital with lots of strangers in a cold enviroment, with me being in my most primitive state. Any words of wisdom, experienced mamas?

Thanks in advance!
Beth

 

[Amys1st]

I was on bedrest w dd1 so I know its no picnic. With a small child it must be crazy!

IMO for me, if I was able to carry a baby after a preemie to full term and I didnt have a classic c, I would do a vaginal if possible.

 

[munkeesmama]

I have been on bedrest with all of my pregnancies. I had a section, vbac, section. The 2 sections were for different reason. My healing time and process with my vag was WORSE than my section but to do it again the way I WANT I'd go for a vbac. You can do it mama!

 

[intorainbowz]

I did 6 weeks of bedrest with DD. I got bored stiff, but I did not have a LO to care for then. I would suggest that you get a netflix or something like that and watch movies, if you are into those. I got bored and watched some John Wayne movies which my dad left and found them suprisingly interesting. I also re-read the Harry Potter series.

Basically I took it easy. I got an insulated mug and would fill it with ice and another with water and ice, and would drink them during the day. I kept healthy snacks and some not so healthy ones by my bed, and I put a large trash can there too. I put a TV tray with books and remotes by my bed side. I also kept lotion and lip balm there as well. I would eat a sandwich or TV dinner for lunch. I was on modified bed rest, meaning I was able to walk around shower at leisure, etc. I took more than one bath that ended when I had drained the hot water tank. I laid on my left side most of the day. I made my own meals and did light housekeeping, like running the dishwasher or throwing a load of clothing into the washer. I had my groceries delivered. Albertsons delivers and you shop online. LIFESAVER there. I told the drivers I needed them to bring my groceries all the way into my kitchen, and more than one put my perishables in the fridge/freezer for me, and left the non-perishable for DH. (When you online order from them, they are already separately bagged.)

One very important tip was that I got up, showered, ate, brushed teeth and got "dressed" every day. Even if all I did was put on clean unders and soft bra and pj's I would change from the clothing I slept in. Big morale booster there.

 

[tbavrbab]

With my son I did 14 weeks of bedrest, some of it modified. Strict bedrest from the first week of January until he was born.

My brother ran a line to my room so I could be on the internet and still rest.

I read books, studied (I had been pulled out before my last semester of lawschool), watched tv....

oh and played with the dogs. My mom had two little yorkies who would lay with me and we'd play.

 

[Knittin' in the Shade]

I did bedrest with my last three, at least a month stint with each (actaully, over two monthsw with the last two!) Bedrest with kidlets at home is such an oxymoron, LOL!

I am, however, convinced that laptops and kid's DVDs were invented specifically for bedrest mamas

We watched lots of kiddies dvds on the laptop laying in bed. Generally we're very, very little TV for the kids, but this was a way for me to be with them and not get up a whole lot. Dh worked from home most days so he was here to fetch food for me and shuttle the kids around, but on the days when he wasn't here, he'd set up a tray at the bedside with snacks and drinks, LOTS of kiddie books, my knitting, dvds, coloring books and crayons and other little treats and trinkets for the 3 yo. It helped to have it all there within arm's reach

My last guy (born at 34+ weeks) was a VBAC in hospital, and I was sure to grab my nurse early and get her on board (I was fully prepared to askf or a different nurse if I got the slightest hint that she wasn't going to fully support me for the VBAC) She was wonderfully supportive (I later found out she was a retired midwife, LOL!) and I think she was a big part of why I was successful. She kept everyone out of the room except the doc (literally came in 30 seconds before his head was out, caught him and left) She never once questioned me on the VBAC, and only supported me and kept saying "You can do this!" So, my best piece of advice is to make sure that your labor nurse is fully supportive and if she seems the least bit unsupportive, then ask to talk to the charge nurse and get a new labor nurse immediately.

I also found that soft, soothing music (lots of enya and rem's automatic for the people did it for me), lights off in the room, and having minimal talking/whispering when talking really helped me to focus inward and pay attention to my body.

 

[OGirlieMama]

When I was on hospital bedrest, the chief of perinatalogy said to me "You ladies in this unit have the hardest job in the hospital." I loved that. It's so true. Bedrest is so tough because of the physical aspect and the emotional aspect. I can't imagine throwing another child into the mix!

The laptop and the phone and TV got me through it. My attention span was too short for novels or even most magazine articles.

I can't speak to the VBAC, as I'm not planning to have more children. But I did deliver my first twin vaginally (before requiring a section for the second) and I would not have missed the experience for anything. I hope it works out for you!

 

[BethLS]

Thanks ladies! It really does help to get up, take a shower, ect. I have even been putting on makeup.

(If you knew me, you'd be afraid I was sick or something putting that stuff on, heehee) It really makes you feel "human".

I am lucky though, even though I have DD, my mom has been a lifesaver. She has been, for the most part taking care of DD round the clock. (any suggestions on how to thank her? I don't feel like saying "thank you for...." is really doing her work justice!)

Oh oh oh, re-reading HP...that's a super idea! I loff Harry Potter. Now just gotta have DH scroung up all of the books...

And also, the more and more I think about it...the more and more I want to deliver "Scarlett" vaginally if possible. I watched "a baby story" yesterday on one of our MDCers and it was very very empoweing! Wish us luck!

 

[intorainbowz]

Yeah... when else are you going to have time to re-read 6 books in a row?!!!

I also watched Sex and the City from episode 1 to the finale, not in one sitting or even week of course. I also watched seasons 1 and 2 of ER (which has the awful birth where the mother dies in it YIKES!)

One day I made a schedule:

8:00 Shower get dressed
9:00 Sex and the city
10:00 Maury
11:00 News
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Nap
3:00 Harry Potter
5:00 Dinner.

What an exciting day!

I also got a glee from watching the "who's your baby's daddy?" Maury episodes... hehe. I totally avoided the court shows and the soaps.

 

[Knittin' in the Shade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by intorainbowz Yeah... when else are you going to have time to re-read 6 books in a row?!!! I also watched Sex and the City from episode 1 to the finale, not in one sitting or even week of course. I also watched seasons 1 and 2 of ER (which has the awful birth where the mother dies in it YIKES!) One day I made a schedule: 8:00 Shower get dressed 9:00 Sex and the city 10:00 Maury 11:00 News 12:00 Lunch 1:00 Nap 3:00 Harry Potter 5:00 Dinner. What an exciting day! I also got a glee from watching the "who's your baby's daddy?" Maury episodes... hehe. I totally avoided the court shows and the soaps.

I'm surprised you didn't pencil in "eat bon-bons" somewhere

Seriosuly, bedrest is the only time I think I've every watched daytime TV, and phhh boy is it awful!

 

[alliteration]

I read a lot. I also had someone come in and massage my back because lying on my side all the time was killing my shoulders. The hospital sent in a physical therapist who was completely worthless.

My hospital bedrest stay was awful because they took my blood pressure every four hours for 30 days. I was dying to sleep for more than 4 hours at a go. I couldn't knit on my side. I wish I had a lap top for checking forums. I'd also down load TV shows to watch on the laptop to avoid the daytime TV phenomena. I'd have loved DVDs of whole seasons of shows.

 

[OGirlieMama]

Can I spill a dirty secret here? Even though I was scared and anxious and in a hospital, there are days now when I am so exhausted that I kind of miss being on bedrest?

Everyone was so kind, so supportive, and they brought me anything I wanted to eat. (Well, before the gestational diabetes they did!) Once the babies were born no one (including myself) really gave a darn about my needs anymore, and I could use a day or two of that about now.

 

[mamanurse]

Photo Albums
Addressed envelopes for the birth announcements
Take up knitting