Surviving Bed Rest & VBAC

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.

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.

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!

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.

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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!

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.