Bedrest during pregnancy SUCKS big time. Girl, I've been there, done that, and I hated every second. It was incredibly challenging for me to sit still, let alone stay in one room day after day.
If you have found yourself on bedrest then I'm glad you're here because here are some things to help you survive and have a little bit of fun.
Why I am here and who I am:
Hey mama, I am Trish— AKA Labor Nurse Mama. I am a labor and delivery nurse with over 15 years of high-risk OB experience. I am also a mama to 7 kids and have given birth to 6. This means I am quite familiar with the postpartum period and how to navigate it. I am the online birth class educator for Calm Labor Confident Birth and The VBAC Lab birth classes and the mama expert inside our Calm Mama Society, a pregnancy & postpartum membership community! I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey! You can find me over on IG teaching over 230k mamas daily. I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey!
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First off, I'm sorry you have been put onto bed rest during your pregnancy. But I am super proud of you that you are being compliant and actually doing it.
As a labor and delivery nurse, I have seen the terrible results of a momma who doesn't stay in bed. So, stay the course and as all mom's do, sacrifice for that baby. It will be well worth it in the end.
C O M F O R T
First and foremost, girl, you need to make your little nest as comfy as possible. Starting with your bed, and ending with your clothing.
Stop everything, and get a hybrid mattress. It can make the difference if you are on bedrest during your pregnancy.
Mike and I have a super expensive Tempur Pedic mattress (it was a gift!) and back in the day, you couldn't find anything as nice as it is. But now, you can buy a mattress that's almost as good and maybe better.
We bought both our girls and our little guy one recently and it makes all the difference in getting a good night sleep.
Plus, I know that their beds are as comfy as mine because while reading to Greyson I often fall asleep first.
M A T T R E S S
Luxury: Dreamcloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress (Get $200 Off DreamCloud Luxury Mattress)
Budget: This hybrid (with gel) mattress is a lot more affordable, and right now on amazon has a 50% coupon. Huge win.
If anything you could buy a mattress topper like this one here to at least pretend you have a memory foam mattress for the time being. (Or beg your family!)
P I L L O W
If you are anything like me, then you already have your precious pillow. A pillow is like my security.
I am literally one of the biggest pillow snobs you have ever met. I take mine everywhere. I mean everywhere. I am already contemplating if I can take it to England in the fall. I can, right? (Actually, I got a roll and go pillow, see below!)
A good pillow can make or break your bedrest during pregnancy experience. It's right up there with the importance of a good mattress.
Luxury: Check out this shredded memory foam pillow from COOP.
Budget: Here is a two-pack of memory foam pillows that would be pretty comfy to have! A well-made pillow can save your back when you are on bed rest during your pregnancy.
Expert Tip: If you are on bedrest at the hosptal then you need to check out these incredible pillows. I love the idea of these, you can pack them and then place them onto any pillow to make it like a luxury pillow. Do not think that your hospital's pillow will suffice. It won't!
Here is a deal just for you: Roll and go pillow, buy one get one free. I love the idea of this pillow so much that I ordered one. It is a travel pillow that when laid on top of a regular (Aka hotel or hospital pillow) it becomes a comfy pillow.
B L A N K E T
Whether you are at home or in the hospital while on bedrest during pregnancy, a blanket is so comforting. If you are in the hospital this is a must-have and not a maybe-have.
Anything you can do to make the hospital feel more home-like is comforting to you!
Luxury: If you haven't heard of “All the Feels” blankets, then stop in your tracks and get one. It's so worth it! Ok, I also travel with my blankie, I said it. Now leave me alone and buy your own.
S L E E P W E A R / C O M F Y C L O T H E S
I suggest that you change clothes. This is what I mean….Wear day clothes and sleeping clothes. It is a huge mental boost to “Get ready”.
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This comfy dress is so adorable and if you have to go to an OB appointment, then get up, and go! I truly think it's important to feel good while on bed rest.
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A cute romper or jumper will make you feel like you are a real person but also easy to lay around in. I love the way the harem jumpers look on a baby bump!
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Compression socks or calf sleeves are also a great thing for bed rest. I preferred the ones without feet due to me having a thing about my feet covered in bed.
E N T E R T A I N M E N T
Let's just state the obvious, you will be binge-watching the heck out of the TV! It's a cold hard fact.
Take a minute and ask for suggestions on FB or Instagram! You would be surprised by how many fantastic suggestions you will get from friends. Do the same for books to read, because tv also gets old after weeks in bed.
- Netflix
- Kindle
- Hulu
- Amazon Prime Videos (and shopping)
- Drawing apps on Ipad
- Coloring
- Spotify
- Learn to crochet
- Learn to knit
- Create an online scrapbook for the baby to come.
- Keep a journal.
- Learn to play the guitar!
- Facetime friends and Family!
S I D E H U S T L I N G
B L O G G I N G
Start a blog and document your journey for other women. Not only will it consume your life (cause it will) but it could build a community of women like you who know all about bed rest during pregnancy, and who need friends. You can also make money. We have more than replaced my income as a nurse! (in less than a year) If you need help, let me know. I am passionate about helping other women chase dreams.
S A V E | E A R N
I utilize apps like Ibotta, E-Bates (which I have rediscovered and made $19 right off the bat) and recently I discovered Honey app which I LOVE! They are super simple and basically, they tell alert you if you can save or make money through them. No thinking involved.
Use these apps such as Honey app browser extension to save money and make money! My favorite thing about Honey is that it also searches the internet for coupon codes to use when you are about to make a purchase on any site.
My new favorite money-saving find for our family savings plan is the five-dollar meal plan (which you can try for free). Meal planning is a huge money saver. No more last-minute meal decisions around my house.
Another great way to spend your LONG days is to take surveys and make money in the process. I'm just gonna warn you that they are a bit tedious, but you will make money. I would create an email address just for the surveys and use that solely.
Here are a few that my friends or myself have used and made extra cash or earned gift cards!
- SurveyRewardz: click here to start earning rewards!
- Coke vs Pepsi survey: click here to earn a gift card.
- Samples & Savings: click here to earn a Starbucks gift card.
- Samples & Savings: click here to earn a Bath & Bodyworks gift card.
- Product report card: Basically give your opinion on products, click here to earn.
- Survey Club: Basically make money for each survey completed. Click here to start!
Hey, if you have to be on bedrest during pregnancy then you might as well make some cash.
C H A N G E R O O M S
Here's a tip, move rooms! Spend one day in your room, one day in the guest room, or nursery to be and so on.
If you are able to move rooms, you will be less likely to go crazy.
Trust me this works. Even have your partner put a lounge chair (reclining beach chair) in the dining room so you can “take” part in meals. If your back door is close by, you can also sit outside.
Please ask your doctor before moving around the house, especially if your home is two stories, this may not be as manageable.
C A D D Y
I had a basket/caddy thing that held what I thought I would need by my side. I found that if my nightstand was cluttered my mind got stressed. Also, I was less likely to search the blankets for the remote.
R O U T I N E
Routine gives you peace while on bed rest during pregnancy and creates a sense of purpose. However, you choose to structure your day, do so pronto. It will also save your sanity.
Keep wipes in your caddy and start your day by washing yourself and putting an invigorating essential oil lotion on your body. I love the Rose ointment from young living.
The year I got pregnant, actually the month I got pregnant with Greyson, I was working in California on a travel assignment. I had the sweetest antepartum patient. She was pregnant with mono-mono twins and on bed rest for my entire assignment.
She truly taught me most of what I know about surviving bed rest, including how her stomach stayed perfect. She used Neutragena lotion with sesame oil. Plus, it smells incredible.
T H E R A P Y
Last but not least, ask for physical therapy. Whether or not you are in the hospital, you should qualify for a physical therapist. Act on this one sister. It is havoc on your body to be inactive.
Ok, my friends, I know you will make it. You've got this. You are strong mommas and can do anything you set your mind to.
Comment and let me know your experiences with bedrest during pregnancy or pregnancy woes in general!
