Hospitalized bed rest for low fluid

[Anonymous]

I went to my doctor for an optional 4-d ultrasound last week and he said my fluid was low and immediately checked me in to Fairfax Hospital. I've been here for 9 days and will be for probably 5 more weeks until I deliver.

If anyone has had a similar experience I'd love to hear about it.

thanks!

[Anonymous]

Yep, I was on bed rest for low amniotic fluid too. However, I was allowed to be at home so I had the advantage of being in my own house with my own stuff, food, bed, etc. I drank water like crazy and stayed off my feet (my job required me to literally be on my feet several hours and being 7.5 mo pregnant took its toll). I layed on the couch for the first few days - memorized the daytime tv lineup, organized all my photographs, chatted with the people at work, did some gardening (I started getting restless), and did lots of reading, word puzzles, etc.
I hadn't discovered DCUM yet, but wished I had since this seems to be a great outlet of things people never told you about!

[Anonymous]

Yep, same here in July 2005. My water broke at 30 weeks, so off I went to Fairfax Hospital...scared and expecting to deliver a preemie. However, I had enough amniotic fluid to sustain the baby, so I was immediately checked into the HRP (high risk pregnancy) unit until I delivered--5 weeks later. I had a healthy 5 pounder 4 weeks earlier than my due date, and he's now a happy, healthy 2 1/2 year old. Not fun, but the nurses in HRP at Fairfax are AWESOME (at least the ones that were there when I was there). I was allowed to use my cell phone (lifeline) even though there were signs everywhere that said no cell phones, and the nurses were kind and supportive.

Tips for HRP at Fairfax:

(1) Get your name on the list for a private room IMMEDIATELY if you want one...one didn't come available till I was already there 3 weeks, and my roommates were AWFUL. I had 10 roommates over 4 weeks, and only one of them was over 22 (and only that one was married). One was 16 and on her second kid. Scary. A few were drug-seekers, and most had terrible families, boyfriends, etc. It was bad enough I was stuck there, but worse having roommates that you ended up "counseling" since their friends and family weren't doing it and they were young and scared....

(2) The nurses have a folder full of take-out menus. You're likely not on any restricted diet, and hospital food sucks. Get your husband/family to bring you takeout dinners when they come to visit. It makes life much more pleasant.

(3) Bring stuff to make the room more comfortable. Having your favorite pillow, blanket, even desk lamp (okay, maybe not for 5 weeks, but some folks were there for 4 months or more). You get the idea. Ipods help make sleeping in a hospital more tolerable. Laptops allow you to watch rented movies. Etc.

(4) Be nice to the staff--they're your lifeline. I don't know if she's still there, but there was an aide who changed the bed linens who had some developmental issues. I think her name was Jeannie or Jenny--but it's been a while. She's very sweet, and loves to chat. She will get you extra towels, more ice water, etc.

(5) Oh, and back to food...there's a little-known secret (if they still do it). There's a kid's menu that they won't offer, but will let you order from if you ask for it. Some of the stuff is better than the adult food.

Hang in there, it's tough, but after a few days, you'll get into the rhythm that is Fairfax Hospital....and, IMHO, it's easier than home bedrest, cause you won't feel as guilty as when you're at home, and you can SEE that the dishwasher needs to be emptied, the trash needs to be taken out, the laundry needs to be done...you're forced to REST, which you need. Try to see the bright side...there's no value in dwelling on the negative. At the end of your stay, you'll have a beautiful kid to take home as a door prize!!

Let me know if you need to chat...I've been there.

Lisa

[Anonymous]

Go to www.sidelines.org or www.sidelines.com - at least I think that is the name of it. It is a website and listserv dedicated to moms on bedrest. Hang in there - I was on bed rest though at home also. I took the time to read books, learn calligraphy, study foreign language, take online courses and yes even cross stitch. The more diverse options you have, the better!