10 Tips to Help You Survive Bed Rest

Get a Maid

If at all feasible, hire a maid to clean your house once a week. Your husband will feel relieved to know that he doesn't have to carry the total load, and you will be grateful someone is actually cleaning behind the toilet while you are on bed rest! Molly Maids in the West and Merry Maids in the East both offer reliable maid service. Check the Yellow Pages for a service in your area.

Pampering Goes a Long Way

When you are on bed rest, the little things really do mean a lot. My mother-in-law made me feel pampered by giving me lots of pillows, regularly changing my sheets, decorating my room for the holidays, and bringing me a tub full of baby gifts and instructing me to "only open one per day."

My husband would send me lots of love notes and cards so I had mail to look forward to and read. He also gave me coupons for back rubs, a basket full of scented goodies like potpourri, candles, and body lotion, and new flannel pajamas. My husband also remembered the little things like painting my unreachable toenails (though he would probably never admit this in public), brushing my hair, dashing out in the middle of the night to indulge my Carvel ice cream craving, and suffering through countless female-related conversations ("Guess what happened on Days of Our Lives today, honey?" and "What do you think of that gown Julia Roberts wore to the Oscars?" and "Estee Lauder just came out with the neatest product ... "). Make sure those closest to you give you lots of pampering.

Just because you are shut in doesn't mean you can't take part in the social activities you once participated in or always hoped to participate in. Perhaps by simply making a few phone calls you could have a poetry reading group, a Bible study meeting, a quilting circle, or childbirth class moved to your home. The meetings could be held in your living room with you carefully and elegantly ensconced on the couch (make sure to wear your new pajamas!). This gives you the opportunity to socialize and learn a new skill.

By the time I gave birth to a healthy, beautiful boy, I had spent more than 29 weeks in bed. Looking back, the months were not as long and miserable as I had thought. I learned new hobbies, watched dozens of great documentaries and old movies, and met friends via the Internet. There are times now, as I am five months pregnant with my second child and chasing after my very active toddler, that I long to spend a few leisurely days sprawled out on my mattress!