To all you ladies on hospital bedrest, or those who've BTDT, I have a question. Are you using the bedpan? Right now I can get up to use the bathroom for BMs, but to pee I'm using the bedpan. The doctor has said that he is comfortable with me getting up to pee, but I've been really nervous about that. Some of the nurses have scared me a little about getting up too much and now I don't want to. But the problem with the bedpan (besides it's gross and all that) is that sometimes I have to wait a really long time for a nurse to come help me. I know that holding a full bladder can be bad too though, so I don't know what to do. I have a cerclage and my cervix is between 1-1.5cm. And I'm 25 weeks today. What would you do? Thanks in advance for any insights, thoughts, and advice!!
Oh, that's a tough call. When I was 33 weeks, I was on mag and hospitalized (this was my 3rd hospitalized visit) and cathed. I wasn't allowed to get up at all. Well, after 2 days, I had to BM REALLY bad. I refused to do it on a bedpan, it wasn't going to happen. I begged them to bring in a bedside commode...they WOULD NOT let me walk into the bathroom. So, maybe you could ask for them to wheel in a bedside commode for you? It would be right by your bed...all you would have to do is swing your legs over and sit onto the pot...then climb back into bed. You would only need to call the nurse to empty it. You wouldn't have to do any walking and you wouldn't have to wait a year for the nurse to come. Best of luck to you. I do'nt know how long you hae to stay there...I was in for a total of 25 days between 30-34 weeks. it's definitely challenging.
Hi! Hang in there- I went on bedrest starting at 20 weeks. I was in the hospital from 26-30 wks on mag sulfate and I too could not get up to go to the bathroom. They were having me use the bedpan- I could not poop on that darn thing-it is difficult to do that while lying down-lol! And when I missed and peed the bed I told them I could not use it. I asked for a bedside commode on the side of the bed where the sink was so that I could go and then wash my hands. My hubby brought me some baby wipes too so that if I had a BM I could use them-it made me feel more clean!!! They moved my room around and put the bed closer to the sink-the nurses were wonderful about it-and then when I was done I would ring the call bell and they would empty it. Hang in there-bedrest is not fun but so worth it if you can get as far as possible.Best of luck and God Bless!!!!! Tracy Mom to Griffin & Alex :itwins_boys: 03/14/02
Thanks ladies for your input! I still haven't decided what to do. I did get up twice yesterday. I thought about the bedside potty, but my room isn't really that big to begin with and and I'm only a few steps from the bathroom, so I don't know if it's really that different. I know once I get a little further along I'll feel more comfortable getting up more. Maybe I'll just wait until then. Sorry to ramble on and on about a bedpan!!
I wasn't on hospital bedrest, just normal bedrest and my doctor said when I was in the hospital with preterm labor that he was leaving me with bathroom privileges as he said he wanted me to keep my muscles working and it would be better for me to get up and go then to lay in bed and try to use a bedpan. Only time I had to use one was after giving birth, since my epi hadn't worn off yet, so I couldn't stand up just yet. The nurse left the room because I couldn't go with her there.
My cervix was at 1cm or less, from 22 weeks on. And that was with an emergeny cerclage at 16 weeks. I was admitted on a variety of occasions, and right after being admitted they would make me use the bedpan until they had a better handle on my situation. I absolutely hated it! But my peri always let me go back to getting up to use the bathroom, both BM and to pee. And you are right, it is bad to hold it. It always caused me contractions. I made it to 31 weeks, and I did not deliver because my cerclage gave out, I delivered because baby A PROM'd. My cerclage was still holding strong, despite getting up to use the potty hourly. Oh, and I also took a shower every other day. A quick one where I sat in a shower chair, but still got my shower.
That is a tough call. After Emilie was born (before Trevor) I was on strict hospital bedrest and was there until he came no matter how long it took, and I did NOT have bathroom privileges. It was horrible and so embarrassing to have to use the bedpan. They actually had to give me something to make me have a BM, I guess my body didn't want to have to do it in a bedpan. Luckily the 10 days I was there, I only did it once, but it was humiliating to me to have to do that. I'm really not sure what to tell you to do. I wish I had had bathroom privileges, but also realize they were trying to do what was best for Trevor. Sorry you are having to worry about this. :hug99:
I've decided to continue on the same course I've been on. At least until I'm 28wks, which is 3 more weeks. I hate the bedpan, but it's not the worst thing. And I can shower twice a week so that's something too. (And I can go to the bathroom for BMs.) I think I'd rather be safer side of things at this point. Thanks so much for all the comments and suggestions!
Hi there, I was in the hospital on bedrest from 25 weeks to 33 weeks on Mag and contracting the whole time. I had a cerclage put in at 22 weeks. My cervix just kept on shortening no matter what. I originally was cathed and not allowed to move. Then after I passed 30 weeks I was allowed to go to the bathroom for BM's and I had a bedside commode for pee's. I had to get up to pee all the time though because of a UTI from the catheter being in so long, and I think this contributed to my cerclage ultimately failing. I think you should definitely play it safe. No matter how embarrassing it is. Don't worry! You want to get as far along as possible and believe me when I say that the nurses are used to it all. They had to deal with me so now thay have seen it all! Make goals for yourself like how i did. When I went in I didn't even want to think about anything (brushing hair, makeup, showers etc.) until I was 28 weeks. My goal at that time was to pass the time with little to no movement and complete meditation. I focused on making myself feel like nothing, so that I could remain as "relaxed" as possible. Then after 28 weeks the next goal became 30 weeks. Once I was here, I decided I would allow myself the award of showers twice a week, and bathroom for BM's. If I could make it to 32 weeks then I would allow myself to go outside and wear my own clothes. If I made it to 34 weeks, I would get off the meds. Well I made it to 33 weeks which was ok for me. Good luck and remember, trust your instincts, I had to tell the nurses when to give me the terb shots and increase the mag because I new my body and when contractions were starting to get out of control. some nurses even tried to convince me to take showers every other day but I said no because I didn't want to risk stress out my irritable uterus. Sorry if this it TMI but I just want you to trust yourself and remain in that bed as long as possible. Good luck again
Where are you funneled and how long have you been at your measurements? With last pg. I was on bedside commode the first few days and then i got bathroom privlages. Even with funneling on both sides of the stich, i maintained. I did lose my son at 22 weeks, but the stich held...I got an infection. Honestly, you are up for so few minutes a day that I don't think it makes that much of a difference. My perinatologist said that lifiting my body up to use the bed pan put just as much pressure on my cervix as getting up to go. This pg, I am at home on bedrest (so far at 26.2 weeks,,,fingers crossed) I am funneled to the stich only and have been around 1.5-1.8 since 19 weeks. They let me be at home, since there haven't been any changes so far (another check tomorrow...::::gulp:: . I figure I am up to go to the bathroom, move from room to room and quickly prepare meals (microwave)/grab a snack/check blood sugars/shower...so about 45 minutes a day. We all need to make our own decisions, but I think if you are maintaining at 25/26 weeks, an occasional bathroom (instead of holding it in) would be fine.
So far I've only had slight funneling, and that was with fundal (sp?) pressure. The last measurement was about 1.2cm @ 24wks. I chose not to have a cervical check this week because, as the doctor said, I was stressing too much about them and the outcome isn't going to change our plan- hospital bedrest. So we've decided for now we'll do checks (ultrasound) every 2 weeks. I do get up to shower every 3 days or so, for about 5 minutes- still it's heaven! And I get up for BMs. I think once I get to 28wks I'll be less nervous about things. (Maybe...) I know what you mean about dreading those cervical checks. I get so worked up over them! I'm already scared about what we may find next week. (Like no cervix left...in which case I'll be in the bed at all times.) The cerlcage was put it at 1.5cm (22wks) and I did shorten that little bit to 1.2. But I'm not 100% the last measurement was right. The ultrasound tech was a different person and it was very uncomfortable (it hurt) when she checked. I think she may have used too much pressure- but I don't know. I am really nervous about my Incredible Shrinking Cervix and it going down to nothing too soon.
Gina, my length varies...I have a dynamic cervix. They really don't care anymore what my length is as long as I don't funnel beyond the stitch. Once I go beyond the stitch, I will end up in the hospital as well..unless it happens after 30 some weeks or so I suppose.
Wow, I am never going to complain about bedrest at home. I am soo lucky, I feel so bad for all of you that have to go through this. The bedpan thing sounds horrific, I can't imagine it. Bless your hearts, I commend all of you. Keep up your good mothering and keep cooking.
I hate the bedpan. It's so messy and embarrassing. When I was in the hospital and I didn't want to bother the nurses I just stood up and peed in the throw up cup they gave me. I didn't have to unhook all the wires and walk to the bathroom and there was no mess. QUOTE(gina_leigh @ Sep 17 2007, 11:52 AM) [snapback]411284[/snapback] To all you ladies on hospital bedrest, or those who've BTDT, I have a question. Are you using the bedpan? Right now I can get up to use the bathroom for BMs, but to pee I'm using the bedpan. The doctor has said that he is comfortable with me getting up to pee, but I've been really nervous about that. Some of the nurses have scared me a little about getting up too much and now I don't want to. But the problem with the bedpan (besides it's gross and all that) is that sometimes I have to wait a really long time for a nurse to come help me. I know that holding a full bladder can be bad too though, so I don't know what to do. I have a cerclage and my cervix is between 1-1.5cm. And I'm 25 weeks today. What would you do? Thanks in advance for any insights, thoughts, and advice!!
I never used a bedpan (except for during one exam when peri wanted my bum elevated ). I had a bedside potty very early in my stay (at 25 wks. I was 2-3 cm dilated, 100% effaced and Ethan was at +1 station) and I was offered a catheter several times (for my convenience, not for necessity). If your doctor says you can get up to pee, then I would encourage you to get up to pee. Keep in mind that getting up even for short trips to the potty help keep your muscles strong (I suffered from some very bad muscle atrophy after my bedrest) and will help lower your risk for developing blood clots.
I also had an emergency cerclage put in at 23 weeks and have been on hospital bedrest ever since (I'll be 31 wks tomorrow.) I would play it safe for a week or so after the cerclage is put in, but I found it more stressful and more pressure on my cervix trying to use the bedpan as opposed to a quick trip to the bathroom.. the bedside commode is a good idea too. When I get my cervical exams, the tech hands me the lubricated probe and lets me insert it and then she takes it from me to get the angle she needs. Maybe you could ask to do the same, as I find it comforting to do it myself. Good luck and hang in there!
