OK, so you’ve been on bed rest for two or three weeks now, and you think you’re going to lose it. Don’t despair; there are some things you can do to help make this time of your pregnancy go by more smoothly, and to get through it with flying colors.
Here are some more ways you can survive and even thrive when you’re on bed rest due to pregnancy:
- Get some help. Talk to your friends and family about helping you get through this difficult time in your pregnancy. Ask someone to help with a basic task like folding laundry. Ask someone to bring in the mail. Get a friend to collect take-out menus from some local restaurants. See about an aunt driving your other children to their after-school activities. Ask your neighbor to go to the library to pick up some books for you.
- Utilize delivery services. While it’s more common in small towns, you may find that your local corner supermarket or drug store offers delivery and pickup services. Use them as much as you can.
- Communicate with your partner. Your partner is probably pretty stressed out right now as well. Chances are pretty good he’s got a lot on his plate. In addition to a job, he’s got to take care of the other children, and he’s got to take care of you. Give him the affirmations that he needs, and make sure you get to spend some time alone.
- Reassure your children. Let them know you won’t be on bed rest forever. Consider using a calendar to mark off the days until your delivery date. Make sure your children have plenty of opportunities to play with other kids (when your partner is around, of course). Consider talking with the children’s teachers via phone to talk about how they’re doing.
- Get a handle on your medical coverage. Bed rest is a good time to do some paperwork. Make sure you’ve done what you need to do in terms of maternity leave, as well as any insurance paperwork that ought to be done.
