BEDREST-- help! Also, 35 vs. 36 wk birth question

[Anonymous]

I am in need of some advice/ideas on ways to deal w/ bedrest. Lucky for me I am already 34 weeks, so I only have 2 weeks of this but it is already driving me crazy. My 3 year old is having lots of fun with all our family/friends, while I am soooo bored.

I also wanted to hear experiences from having a baby at 35 wks vs. 36wks. One Dr. said I could get up and move after 35 wks but another wants me to wait for the 36 wk mark. I already have had the steroid shots to help the baby's lungs mature. THANKS in advance

[Anonymous]

Hi there, I cannot address the 35-week issue, but my oldest son was born at 36w1d, and he was perfectly fine. He didn't have any lung problems and didn't need a stay in the NICU. I think if you can hold off the extra week, you might as well, just for peace of mind. Blessings to you and your baby.

[Anonymous]

because full term is considered 37 weeks, I would do what ever to get there. I was on bed rest with first at week 26. It sucked, but I delievered a very healthy baby on my due date. so worth the bed rest. Besides, bed rest, heaven. take full advantage of the sleep that will end very soon. congrats

[Anonymous]

I think there's a web community for expectant moms on bedrest called sidelines.com (or something close to that). If nothing else, that would give you lots of similarly situated folks to empathize with. I was on BR from wks 30 to 37. While my doc was open to an induction at 35 and 36, I held out til 37 bc, as PP indicated, it's "full term." Baby was just fine, and, in hindsight, probably would have been fine if she had been born 2 weeks earlier, but I was happy that I waited.

Slept, watched lots of DVDs, took up knitting, read book reviews and sent folks to library/bookstore to get those that I wanted, shopped online, slept.

Best wishes

[Anonymous]

I had two babies at 35 wks - one came right home (only to end up back in the hospital), the other was in the nicu for 1 1/2 wks to begin with. both had healthy lungs - just feeding issues, and regulating body temperature (this is a big issue with early babies b/c they have less body fat).

[amma_mama]

I was on very strict best rest from 33 weeks, as well as meds to slow pre-term contractions. I sympathize because it was absolutely awful - not very restful as I was stressed out the whole time worrying that my daughter would arrive too early. While most babies are fine at the 35/36 week mark, like some of the other PPs, I was more comfortable holding out as long as possible to bring her to full-term (37 week). I went off bed rest in week 36 and delivered at exactly 37 weeks 0 days. Re the boredom, perhaps you can arrange activities at home (or at a relative/friend's house if you are allowed a short car trip) for your 3yo in which you can be "involved" (from the sidelines) or at least watch, and have the benefit of company of other adults, at least for a couple of hours each day? Invite a friend or two over for lunch/tea (even if you have to lie down and they have to bring/prepare it) - I did not speak up loud enough to my friends that I really needed visitors during that time - all assumed that I wanted to be alone and were afraid to disturb me too much!

[Anonymous]

I have both a 35 and 36 weeker. Both came home with me. The 35 weeker was six lbs. the 36 weeker was 7 lbs. It all depends on their weight (which helps them maintain body temp), feeding issues and breathing. You never really know. I do know my 36 weeker can go longer between feeds since she already has some more fat under her.

[Anonymous]

OP - I am on week 5 of bed rest...with 8 more to go (hopefully) - it does get easier. Since I worked in NICUs I well know the issues and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get to 37 weeks. AS PP said there is a great variation at 35 weeks. Many have difficulty with temperature regulation, breathing and the coordination of breathing, sucking and swallowing. I do know how hard this is but beleive me on two issues:
1) Leaving the hospital without your baby, even if just for a week or two is very, very difficult
2) it is much easier to take care of a baby on the inside while home on BR than visit the NICU a few times a day

Hang in there and if you are bored and need support even just for a short time I agree w/ PP who said to try Sidelines.com - all women going through similar issues....actually most quite worse which might actually help see things in a different light.

[Anonymous]

OP here: I will definitely take it extra easy until week 36. It's frustrating b/c I saw 8 different Dr's at the hospital in 4 days and then saw one of the Dr's at my Kaiser office yesterday. EACH ONE has a different philosophy. A few would've kept me hospitalized longer, a few would've taken the baby when my contractions started back up at home (I got terbutaline from a Dr. that wasn't in that philosophy group), and the other did what happened-- rest w/ terbutaline as needed. Then the Dr yesterday said he doesn't believe in strict bedrest, just "homerest" and listening to your body w/ rest as needed. SOOOOOOOOOO confusing!!!!!!!! Has anyone been through this with their OB practices??? I'm sure it's very common.

[Anonymous]

Yep - I am the 18:54 poster and have been through this with 3 pregnancies - difficult at any time but especially when you are considered high risk - have already experienced the worst case scenerio of infant loss and are anxious about everything!

There are many differrnt philosophies out there - medicine is always part Science and part Art - regardless of what anyone may lead you to believe. There is inconsistent scientific (statistical) evidence with regards to bed rest improving chances to full term although that depends greatly on many factors. The use of medications can vary also. There are always new studies brought into traditonal OB care and some are more likley to integrate new evidence from literature while others may wait for more conclusive evidence and most combine the research with their personal experiences in patient care.

B/c of my history ( both occupation and personal) I tend to go with the most restrictive and feel most comfortable with the most restrictive or conservative approach OB / Peri. IMO why have to think after the fact - could I have done more?

The good news is that at this stage you are close enough to have a healthy baby - every additional day is just bonus time. Hang in there and try not to stress to much.

[Anonymous]

I'm 36w, 2d and my dr just put me on bed rest bc of high blood pressure. Should i be considering inducing early? Or just wait until the baby comes on its own?

[Anonymous]

I haven't been on bedrest but I was thinking of things you could do. Many birth announcements websites will send you envelopes ahead of time that you could pre-address and send? I ordered personalized thank-you cards with my ds' name on them. I didn't know his sex beforehand but I picked out some styles.

Start the baby book early? A lot have pages that can be completed before baby arrives (family tree, what you were feeling, etc.) Do you have any old photos that need to be organized or put in boxes?

Do some shopping. Diaper.com and order supplies.

Definitely call Nail Taxi and get some pampering. I know they are expensive but why shouldn't your nails and toes look nice while you are lying in bed? Good luck!

[bai]

I have been on bed rest since 26 weeks for twins and contractions. I was a full time working woman and I found the bed rest very very difficult. But being a physician I know how important it is to deliver a healthy baby. I also have a four year old son. i missed a lot of time with him and my husband, but I know in the end it will be worth it. Now at the verge of insanity and still 7 more weeks to go before I will be term, I am thinking of getting some embroidery stuff to do for the "girls" room. I am catching up on my emails, and other than that watching tv and sleeping a lot.
You don't have much more to go, so just hang in there, baby will come when it's time. Good luck