Mamas on Bedrest & Beyond & Support for Mamas on Bedrest, thru post partum.

How to support a Mama on bed rest

When a woman goes on bed rest, whether it be for preterm labor or another disorder, life as she and her family know it comes to a grinding halt. It can be a very stressful situation but it doesn’t have to be. Well meaning family and friends often agree to pitch in and help, but sometimes don’t know where or how to begin.

First and foremost it’s important to remember that Mama needs to take really good care of herself. Beyond resting, eating well and following her doctors orders, it is essential to keep Mama’s spirits up and stress level low. Knowing that the household duties are handled can go a long way to keeping Mama calm. Providing some extra pampering will not only help Mama feel better physically, but will also lift her spirits.

Below are 10 suggestions for loved ones that want to help a Mama on bed rest and her family.

1. Pay for a cleaning service. This could be for a one time visit or for ongoing services while Mama is on bed rest.
2. Arrange for a nanny/sitter. Older children still need care and guidance. Knowing that her children are well cared for will go a long way to giving Mama some peace of mind.
3. Offer to take her older children out for the day. Not only is this a difficult time for Mama, children are also missing their routine with Mama. Offer to take them out for a special day-a movie, lunch, a sporting event or other special activity. Mama will really appreciate it and the kids will LOVE the attention.
4. Assist with pet care. A family pet is often Mama’s “other child”. Having Mama out of commission can be very disconcerting to a pet. Offer to take the dog for a long walk, a run to a dog run or volunteer to take the family pet to its regular vet exam.
5. Order meal delivery. Many church and neighborhood associations will provide meals to a family when Mama is on bed rest. While this is a generous gesture, Mama’s nutritional needs need to be considered. If she is on bed rest for Pre-Eclampsia or gestational diabetes, good nutrition is essential. A meal delivery service or personal chef service and address particular nutritional requirements and provide Mama and her family with delicious and nutritious meals.
6. Schedule in-home spa services for Mama. These days not only do massage therapists make house calls, many estheticians and hair stylists do as well. What Mama wouldn’t love a massage, facial or mani/pedicure?
7. Get Mama a subscription to NetFlix or books on tape. She’s got nothing but time, let her catch up on some of her favorite entertainment she’s.
8. Bring Mama a gift to make her surroundings more pleasant such as a new gown or robe, candles or pot pourri.
9. Throw Mama a Baby Shower. Many Mamas on bed rest say that they feel cheated out of their pregnancy experience because they are isolated on bed rest. Round up a group of her friends and have a shower for her and/or the baby. Make it really fun by having guests arrive in their pajamas!
10. Listen to and support her. Many Mamas on bed rest try really hard to be strong for their families, do what is best for their babies and all the while they are full of emotions themselves. While you can’t fix the situation, you can listen to and offer compassion. Give her the space to be however she wants to be.

Tags: bed rest, pregnancy, support
Posted in Surviving bed rest | 2 Comments »

Suddenly Sidelined

For many women, the bed rest prescription comes as no surprise. Women with a multiple gestation, a prior pregnancy that was complicated by an incompetent cervix or history of pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure) and/or ended with preterm labor make the bed rest prescription more likely (but not inevitable) in subsequent pregnancies. These ladies know that when they become pregnant, they are at high risk and are able to plan accordingly.

More often, the bed rest prescription comes as a shock. A woman goes in for what she thinks is a routine prenatal examination, a potential complication is noted and the bed rest prescription is given. The prescription comes without warning and without any time for preparation. It’s simply “go home and go to bed.” If you’re among the more unlucky, the prescription is “go to the hospital and be admitted”. Suddenly, life as you knew it as a glowing mom-to be is over.

Bed rest isn’t easy. Some women say that initially they welcomed the rest. But after as little as one or two days in bed, the boredom, isolation and anxiety set in. If you’ve got several days to weeks to months to be on prescribed bed rest, what is the best way to survive without going stark raving mad?

Knowledge is power. The more you know about why you are on bed rest and what you can do to take care of yourself-physically, mentally and emotionally-the better things will go. Be proactive. Here are 6 Tips you can implement to help you feel a bit more informed and prepared when you find yourself “Suddenly Sidelined.”

1. First, have your obstetrician or midwife give you a clear explanation of what the complication is and what they hope to achieve by putting you on bed rest. When you understand the rationale for the treatment, it’s much easier to be a willing participant.
2. Get a clear bed rest prescription from your practitioner. There is a HUGE difference between being strictly confined to bed and being on what some of us call “house arrest”-where you can move around the house, rest on the couch and not engage in any strenuous activities. Ask your clinician to give you specific guidelines about what you can and cannot do. In this way you can know what your specific needs are if family and friends ask how they can help.
3. Set up your base. If you’re going to be sidelined, you may as well comfortable. Have the telephone, television remote and laptop computer in easy reach. Have any books or magazines, DVD’s or MP3 players easily accessible on a side table. You may even want to have a small cooler or mini refrigerator in your room-filled with healthy snacks of course!
4. Make a clear path to the bathroom. You may not have thought of this, but if your room is configured such that you have to walk around the bed or between other furniture to get to the bathroom, clear your path to eliminate any possibility for falls or injuries.
5. If at any time you are going to be left alone or a substantial length of time, for example while your husband works during the day, make sure that you have someone who is quickly accessible-a neighbor perhaps-that can come over immediately if there is an emergency.
6. As a follow up to #5, make sure that there is access into your home for expected and pre-arranged visitors. If you’re on bed rest, you can’t get up to answer the door. Yet, if a friend is coming to visit, they need access. Set up in advance a way for them to enter your home. This may be a key left in a certain place, an access code into your garage, etc…But be sure that this limited access is not widely known and is ONLY given to those YOU have planned in advance to attend to you.

Bed rest is never anyone’s plan. By implementing these 6 tips, you can make your time on bed rest pleasant-even when you find yourself “Suddenly Sidelined.”

Posted in Surviving bed rest | 2 Comments »