Please click here to visit our sponsor





Please click here to visit our sponsor

Delight in Pregnancy Bedrest


My first experience with bedrest was at 30 weeks into my second pregnancy when I was dilated between 2-3 centimeters. I was on strict bedrest which I renamed "pregnancy prison." All my life's freedom as I knew it was put on hold or "put to rest." I had a bad attitude about the whole thing and fantasized that the baby would come early so I wouldn't have to suffer any longer. My wish of an early delivery came true 4 weeks into bedrest.

The next pregnancy came and the physician ordered me to bed at 20 weeks. I had at least 16 weeks ahead of me confined to the beautiful surroundings of my bedroom. I knew I had to make a change in my attitude for the health of my child. This time bedrest wasn't so bad and the pregnancy lasted 37 weeks. Listed below are some of the things that helped me get through my limited pregnancy activity.

? Did relaxation exercises daily

? Had friends over to watch TV (snacks a necessity)

? Got up every hour for 5 minutes to stretch, eat or go to the bathroom

? Cleaned the toilets once a week

? Put my sons in half-day child care

? If I were able to control my contractions, I would get out of the house for 30-90 minutes once a week

? I avoided anything stressful at all cost

? Rented entertaining and funny videos

? Talked on phone from the couch or bed

? Asked my husband to bring me flowers to brighten the room

? Floated in the pool (no swimming)

? Listened to talk radio

? Read books or magazines

? Took relaxing baths surrounded by candles and soft music

? Accepted dinners and babysitting from friends

Have good communication with your physician regarding the reasons for bedrest. Don't hesitate to call your physician any time of the day or night if you are having out of control contractions. Ask him or her before you try any of my "physical" suggestions. The number one thing you can do on bedrest is relax. Despite popular belief, staying in bed all day is not relaxing. Most importantly, realize that you are not alone even though it feels like it. There are organizations on the web that give you bedrest support over the phone or email. Do what it takes to have a happy pregnancy, a healthy baby and delight in bed.

Julie L. Johnson is a wife and mother of three who has experienced every pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and breastfeeding situation there is and has lived to tell about. She is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Doula and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant practicing in Southern California. Her website http://www.birth-angel.com provides services and products to help ease the transition into motherhood.




Buddhist temple acts as emergency maternity unit
China Daily, China - 19 hours ago
... in the quake," as a tribute to the kindness and devotion of both monks and medics, Zheng Tongying, chief of the hospital maternity department, said. ...


Report: Alta Bates Among Top Hospitals for Maternity Care
RedOrbit, TX - 9 hours ago
4--BERKELEY -- A new study shows that Alta Bates Summit Medical Center is one of the top hospitals in the country for maternity care. ...


Wall Street Journal Blogs

Women on Maternity Leave Losing Out on Commissions, Bonuses
Wall Street Journal Blogs, NY - Jul 3, 2008
One saleswoman, a new mother, wrote me recently to express amazement that her Fortune 100 employer threatened to deprive her during maternity leave of ...


Downgrading of maternity services irresponsible in light of road ...
Eastbourne Today, UK - 17 hours ago
And it's this road facing expecting mums and paramedics if plans to downgrade maternity services at the DGH go ahead. At present, emergency Caesarians and ...
A259 the worst road in Sussex Bexhill Observer
all 4 news articles


MamaSan Maternity Apparel - Rockin clothing...maternity style.
PRLog.Org (press release), Romania - 16 hours ago
PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 03, 2008 – Huntington Beach, Calif – MamaSan Maternity Apparel announces the launch of its online store www.mamasanmaternity.com ...


Maternity care criticism disputed
The Dominion Post, New Zealand - Jul 3, 2008
The death of a baby during labour in Wellington does not mean there is widespread failure in the quality of maternity care, says the New Zealand Medical ...
No Evidence Of Widespread Failure Of Maternity Care -- Nzma Voxy
Review into Wgtn maternity services TVNZ
Uncalled For Undermining Of The Maternity And Midwifery Services In Nz Voxy
The Dominion Post
all 9 news articles


Baby deaths prompt review of Wellington maternity services
New Zealand Herald, New Zealand - Jul 1, 2008
The reported deaths of two newborns in Wellington has prompted an independent review of the region's maternity services. One baby died last weekend at one ...
Baby death sparks maternity review Stuff.co.nz
Maternity review welcomed Newstalk ZB
Ministers welcome review of Wellington area maternity services New Zealand Doctor Online
Radio New Zealand - New Zealand Herald
all 48 news articles


Mothers Work cutting Phila. jobs, jettisoning Mimi Maternity brand
Bizjournals.com, NC - Jul 1, 2008
Maternity-wear retailer Mothers Work Inc. said Tuesday it will start a restructuring that will include cutting employees at its Philadelphia headquarters ...
Mothers Work to cut jobs, streamline brand names CNNMoney.com
UPDATE 1-Mothers Work to streamline brands, reduce headcount Reuters
Mother's Work to restructure, rebrand, reduce headcount Forbes
RTT News - SmallCapInvestor
all 42 news articles


Inequity in leave for new mothers
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - Jul 3, 2008
LESS than half of all working women are entitled to paid maternity leave, and those that are entitled need it the least, official figures from the Bureau of ...


Mural travels to the maternity ward
Vernon Morning Star,  Canada - Jul 3, 2008
But since the maternity ward at the hopsital is moving to a new wing, he wanted something that could move to a new home. “I was basically at the hospital ...

Maternity - Google News

home | site map

© 2006 www.elearn-university.org