I am so grumpy...bedrest is not agreeing with me

I have been on hospital bedrest since January 8th for preterm labor. My cervix was funneling and was down to 1.3 cm. The babies are doing great. I am on procardia to prevent contractions. I had the steroid shots at my 24 week mark. The doctors are all acting like I could be at home on bedrest except my doc (who says I should stay until 28 weeks) and I think I am just tired of being here. The past few days I have just been grumpy and moody. I was handling it pretty well up until then. I was keeping myself occupied by getting on the internet, watching tv, doing crosswords, and reading. DH comes in the evenings to see me and hang out.
I don't want to be the grumpy, bitter pregnant lady because I know this is good for the babies. That doesn't put me in a better mood though. I am tired of the whole hospital atmosphere and missing my own house and my dog. A friend of ours is bringing my dog up to visit me today (DH can take me outside in a wheelchair for a little while) so maybe that will cheer me up.
How can I keep my spirits up? I know I should be glad I am getting good care and that the babies are staying in there and growing, but I don't feel like doing anything. I am tired of tv, books, crosswords, and the internet. I don't want to lay here and get depressed so hopefully this is just a phase and I will be ok.
I just need some encouragement in what I hope is just a rough patch.

Traci

 

I have been on hospital bedrest since January 8th for preterm labor. My cervix was funneling and was down to 1.3 cm. The babies are doing great. I am on procardia to prevent contractions. I had the steroid shots at my 24 week mark. The doctors are all acting like I could be at home on bedrest except my doc (who says I should stay until 28 weeks) and I think I am just tired of being here. The past few days I have just been grumpy and moody. I was handling it pretty well up until then. I was keeping myself occupied by getting on the internet, watching tv, doing crosswords, and reading. DH comes in the evenings to see me and hang out.
I don't want to be the grumpy, bitter pregnant lady because I know this is good for the babies. That doesn't put me in a better mood though. I am tired of the whole hospital atmosphere and missing my own house and my dog. A friend of ours is bringing my dog up to visit me today (DH can take me outside in a wheelchair for a little while) so maybe that will cheer me up.
How can I keep my spirits up? I know I should be glad I am getting good care and that the babies are staying in there and growing, but I don't feel like doing anything. I am tired of tv, books, crosswords, and the internet. I don't want to lay here and get depressed so hopefully this is just a phase and I will be ok.
I just need some encouragement in what I hope is just a rough patch.

Traci

 

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time of it. Hospital bedrest doesn't sound so bad IN THEORY... you have people waiting on you, you can catch up on reading, watch some tv, and relax. BUT... I had to lay in the hospital bed for about 2 hours to have my first non-stress test done last week, and in that very short time I was already sick of it! So I can see where you would get grumpy! But you are doing a great job and after you have your babies the time that seems to be dragging now will seem like nothing.
I hope some other bedrest moms post some advice for you. Do you crochet or knit? Maybe if you work on something like that the time will pass faster? I'm sorry I don't have anything better to offer! I hope you are feeling better soon!
Helen

 

So sorry you have to deal with that - i'm sending you a big hug. And you're entitled to be unhappy - it doesn't make you a bitter, miserable pregnant woman, just a woman who's tired of being cooped up!

Maybe DH can bring some pics of your dog, and you can take some 'mind trips' about being outside with him, walking him in your favourite seasons.....I read in a magazine today a woman who wrote "when i can't splurge on a vacation, I go somewhere in my mind; read a book about an exotic location or just imagine myself somewhere"

It actually works: if you can visualize yourself somewhere you love - beach, skiing, mountains, whatever works for YOU, you will notice that your body will respond as if you are there. (it's kind of magic)

Also - maybe some books on tape so you don't have to read so much, or are there any things you've wanted to learn or study for a while but haven't had time to?

OR -= do you know the website anysoldier.com? It's a site where you can write to soldiers who are posted overseas (many in Iraq); often people send packages but it's also great for soldiers to just get contact from folks back home who are supporting them (regardless of their feelings about the war or the administration). Just a thought.

And, of course, you are entitled to just feel miserable sometimes and cry if you need to. I hope it goes quickly for you!

 

Bless your heart!! that would be awful! I am So glad that you are getting great care and that your babies are doing well -
just think this time next year - you will have 2 happy babies and this will all be a blur!! relax and get some rest now - once your babies arrive sleep will be a thing of the past!!!

 

Hi, I haven't visited this board in a while, but just had my sons' 1st birthday, was reminiscing, and saw your post. I spent two and a half weeks on hospital bedrest with a situation similar to yours, shortened cervix, etc. Docs also wanted me to stay til that magic 28 week mark.

It's sooooo hard sitting in that room without the comforts and privacy of home. I hated it! But, my kiddos stayed put, my cervix behaved, and I did get to go home (to more bedrest). I kept those boys in til 36w6d, and was able to take them home with me. SO, at those moments when you JUST CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE, try to focus on healthy babies, and know that this too shall pass. Heck, in a year you may find yourself on this board encouraging some other miserable bedrest mommy!

Hang tight!
Karen

 

I am so sorry you are miserable but I think it is totally acceptable for you to be grumpy! I wish you luck and strong healthy babies!
One idea to pass time is to pull out your old pictures... If your like me you have boxes of them and put them in albums. I recently did this during my "must stay on the couch" time. I went threw about 1500 pics. I had been dreading it for years ..really... like 10 but after a few days I was done and what a great accomplishment. Anyway just an idea. Take care!

 

I didn't read everyone's posts- but all I can say is (AND I MEAN THIS NICELY!!) SUCK IT UP! ANd I do mean that EVER SO NICELY!!!!!! I am serious! I feel for you- I was there and my girls came at 27 weeks. We almost lost them- so do all you can- and I have to say, your mental health is most important!! Do whatever you can to make it through this and I know you probably have heard this before but take it from someone that has BTDT- enjoy your time on bedrest. I rolled my eyes on this comment everytime I heard it but I swear- if I could just lay in my bed for 10 mins now without someone crying! I am here if you need to PM me!! It's tough- there is no doubt about it!!!! I know what it is like to be awakened right after you get comfy for vital signs, etc. I was on a baby monitor for several days 24/7 before they switched me to q 4 hours. It was TERRIBLE! ANd I was beyond crabby! But here's the kicker - I worked where I delivered and where I was on bedrest so anyone could come walking in at pretty much any time and you know- there is nothing decent about that belly sticking out and being monitored down past your pant line! HUGS TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!! PM me if you need to!!! I AM ENCOURAGING YOU to DO ALL YOU CAN!!! My girls are having therapy many times a week and if there was anything more I could have done to make them go longer - I would have. ANd something I feel very guilty for is my bad mental attitude - I was on bedrest- strictly NO UPS other than the toilet for a month! I will be thinking of you and all others on bedrest!!! God bless.

 

I've been on bedrest at home since about 22 weeks, but just so nothing would happen, so I cannot even imagine what you must be going through. I was hospitalized for 24 hours at 30 weeks, and was miserable!! Have you heard of sidelines.org (or .com not sure which one)? It is an organization just for people like you to interact with, and might just be what you're looking for. I feel totally blessed to have made it to where I am, but if I were you, I would listen to your doctor and stay until 28 weeks. Just remember "this too, shall pass" and you don't ever want to regret not doing everything you could to keep those blessings in there as long as possible. That's not to say you're not allowed to complain, because you totally have the right to, but do keep your chin up, and remember weeks, months or years from now, it will all seem a big blur in the grand scheme of things. You might also tell some of the nurses if you like them just how you're feeling..maybe you'll find that they'll make an effort to keep ya company a little more. Also, if you're into games, there's a ton of internet gaming sites which I know from experience can eat away several hours of your day

We're always here too, hang in there mama!

 

Bedrest is tough - I was on some form of bedrest - pretty much from the beginning of my pregnancy w/bleeding and later on w/ PTL - I was at home most of the time - and WISH I had been on hospital bedrest longer - as nice as it is to be at home, there are too many distractions, at the hospital they really do keep you in bed, monitored and are taking care of those babies.... The magic week may be 28 - but even so, remember you don't want to have your babies that early - I was able to hold out until 29 weeks - but that was still TOO early and after spending 10 weeks in the NICU and having to worry about things even now - I wish I could have gone back, enjoyed my time on bedrest and if I could have I would have checked myself into the hospital in hopes that it would have helped me carry them until at least 33/34 weeks.

I know it's tough on you now, and you are bored and stressed and uncomfortable - I spent roughly 2 weeks at the end in the hospital and that almost did me in - but in this case hindsight is definately 20/20 - after those babies come you will wish you were still there

Try to read books you've been wanting to read, use the time to peruse parenting magazines to get tips on things, bring in a DVD/VCR and watch sitcomes you always wanted to see but didn't get the chance to - I watched 24, Friends, Lost...work on preparing scrapbooks for their first year (all the things you will want to do but will not have time for)

 

I was on hospital bedrest from 24 weeks until I delivered them at 32 weeks. I went into ptl at 26 weeks, which they managed to stop, but it was very scary. The time in the hospital was long and lonely, but I kept telling myself "It is what is best for the babies!" My DH would also bring in my dogs and I would get wheeled down in a wheelchair to see them and it really brightened my day.
It is long and hard, but it is totally worth it in the end when you know you did everything you could to help them grow.
I always had people in to visit, I watched tv, talked on the phone, played on the internet, read books, movies..etc. I would always focus on when the next u/s was so we could see them again. The nurses would always make bets with me on how much the boys would weigh. And we would set goals, every week the boys stayed in was a HUGE celebration. Sure there were times when I would just cry because I so much wanted to be at home, but you get through it.
So, I have been where you are, and yes, it it hard, but you can do it. The payment you get when you get to take those beautiful little babies home with you is the best gift ever.
Good luck!!

 

I was on hospitalized bedrest for 4 weeks due to pre-eclampsia. I began to make a list of everything that was wrong with the way hospital rooms are designed (like there was a raised threshold at the bathroom entrance so when/if I was on an IV for contractions and had to pee...I had to fight my way to the potty by lifting IV pole over the thresholod...and they weigh a ton to a 35 week pg woman, like I had the bladder control by then to be able to deal with that...yeah big issue! ).

For starters find someone who will come in for to do a massage and hair/mani/pedi...I would've given my liver for a haircut after 3 weeks! That will instantly raise your spirits! Get someone to bring you a really good mattress pad too, the egg crate they give you will not be good enough for long. Oh, and pretty bath stuff, I took a lot of baths to break up the day, and to ease the pressure on my lower back/pelvis, and I would've loved some fizzies and smelly stuff.

Anyway, I know it sucks, but yeah the doing your photos thing would have helped me a ton. Have DH or a friend (or order it online) pick up some beginning knitting kits/books and yarn. Take an online course,(I did not have internet...so you are way lucky!)Maybe get in contact with the hospital volunteer coordinator and see if there is any paperwork you can help with...or other hand work.

And it helped me to remember that as long as I did not go home, then have to be re-admitted, I only had 1 co-pay. So since the girls got to come home with me, I was in for 1 month, had a c-sec with twins and only paid $600...big savings for us!

Good luck!!!!!

 

Oh Traci honey, I know EXACTLY where you are at. I was hospitalized at 24 weeks, given steroid shots, and spent until 28 weeks on hospital bedrest. It totally stinks!!!!!! But it is so very worth it in the end. I know people will tell you this again and again, but take it from someone with experience, it really is so worth it in the end.

My girls did still come early, at 31 weeks, but not due to my cervix, due to baby A PROM'ing.

Hang in there. Can you maybe watch seasons of different TV shows - 24, Lost, Grey's Anatomy, etc.? It will help pass the time.

Thinking of you.

 

It is so hard, isn't it. I don't know what to tell you. There will be days where you just feel like you can't do it anymore. But you do it, because you have no choice. I guarantee you though, the reward at the end of it all is so incredibly worth it.