Tips & Tricks :: Surviving Bed Rest

Being prescribed bed rest is kind of a blow to the ego. Everyone (that hasn't been on bed rest) tells you how great it will be to stay at home, not have to do anything, and just hang out. I'm here to tell you that bed rest really isn't that awesome.

I consider myself lucky. Bed rest for me started at 33 weeks pregnant. A lot of women are put on bed rest much earlier in pregnancy and have much more time to "do nothing."

Doctors prescribe bed rest for a variety of reasons, mine being signs of preterm labor. My first child was born 6 weeks early. This time around, my doctor wanted to keep a closer eye on things, in hopes to keep this baby in a little longer. The difficult piece, though, is that there is conflicting evidence as to whether or not bed rest truly helps. Of course, I will follow doctor's orders on this one.

Anyway!

Everything you need to know about surviving bed rest.

1. Continue with your regular day care routines for older children (or set up a care schedule). There is no way I would be able to follow my doctor's orders with a toddler here. If you don't have a regularly set daycare schedule, I suggest calling in all of the support people you have to take over at least some of the care of older children.

2. Plan easy meals for your partner to make. Maybe yours is a master chef. Mine is not. I sent him with a very thorough list to the grocery store with extremely simple crock pot meals in mind. My bed rest prescription allows me to get up to shower, use the bathroom, and eat meals. No cooking for me. Leaving simple directions for the hubs to throw a few ingredients into the crock pot has made his life much easier.

3. Make special time for your kiddos. I know I said to find them daycare while on bed rest. But, my little one has had a difficult time with his mama being on the couch all night when he is home. We have had to start a few new routines so he is sure to get his mama time in. I am also sure to wake up with the boys in the morning and get a few minutes of snuggles with Kid while Hubs gets ready. Not only is it beneficial for the toddler, it makes me feel like I am still needed.

4. Accept any and all help. My dad came by to pick up laundry yesterday. My mom picked Kid up for the day today and stuck around to clean the kitchen and bathroom. Friends have been swinging by with a warm lunch. Another girlfriend is dropping by with two freezer meals this afternoon. I have had friends drop of DVDs and books, others have come to just hang out. They've helped drive me to the doctor while the hubs has been at work. While I plan to make them each a little thank you gift, for now, I can only thank them.

Just beginning bed rest? Feel free to send me an email!

Are you a bed rest veteran yourself? What other tips do you have?

Today

At this time in my pregnancy two years ago, I was feeling pretty cruddy. It was the day after Easter, and my first day of Spring Break. It was the end of the husband's Spring Break. We were watching TV, and he fell asleep on the couch. I shooed him off to bed as I finished writing my spring break to-do list.

I was going to get so much done! Put the finishing touches on the paint in the baby's room. Finish the airplane mobile. Get the changing table and crib set up - put sheets on the mattress, add diapers to the bins. Make a few freezer meals to have on-hand. Pack the hospital bag. 

Then, I realized that I was exhausted. It was only Monday, and I had all week to get things done. To bed I went.

Of course, I first brushed my teeth and washed my face.

And while I stood in front of the mirror, mouth full of foamy toothpaste, my water broke.

At 33 weeks, 5 days pregnant.

Having never been pregnant before, I wasn't 100% positive that my water really did break. I could have just peed a little. That had been happening more than I'd like to admit, but it was usually when I laughed too much or sneezed. Not while brushing my teeth.

Six hours later, Kid was on my chest and Hubs was snapping pictures.

Today, I am 33 weeks and 5 days pregnant. Kid's overnight bag is packed. The hospital bag is ready to go. The nursery is not painted, I have no freezer meals. And we are doing everything we can to keep this little lady in and growing.

I've had two injections to help with baby girl's lungs. I have to sit on my butt all day. I wish I could go to work.

And I'm getting a little nervous. I don't want my water to break today, like it did last time. I don't want it to break in the next week. Or the next month. I'm not ready to go into labor.

Life doesn't happen when you're ready, though. And if she wants to show up, she will make her entry. Bed rest is helping me do what she needs. Rest. So she can continue to grow.

So here's to bed rest. And cracking open my second book. Has anybody else read Freakonomics?

Now What?

I'm 33 weeks and my uterus is thinning. Sorry if that grosses you out, but it's the truth.

And I was just put on bed rest.

I have another doctor's appointment this afternoon to get the nitty-gritty, but for now, I'm mostly bothered by the fact that I cannot lift anything. Including Kid. That's the only thing that has made me cry thus far.

Hubs is most worried about having to do the grocery shopping.

Of course, we are worried about our baby girl, but we know that this move is the best thing for her. No more hours of standing and moving from me, just rest. Rest, rest, rest. And that is what little miss needs. Her mama to rest and not stress.

I should have been more prepared for this, being that Kid was six weeks early. But it was unexpected. I cried on the phone to my doctor. I love my doctor. She's so patient and understanding.

But now, this first morning of bedrest, I am done being sad about it. I am moving on to being happy and relaxed. A girlfriend is bringing me a stack of books. Another is bringing a few dinners to throw in the freezer.

I'm going to relax while I'm stuck at home and think about how this girl is getting more time to grow and develop. Because that is what we want. A healthy, even if she's a bit early, baby girl.

Maybe this will give me time to stock upon sleep for those early months (ha!).

Just Some Life...

I'm packing a hospital bag for the first time. My last pregnancy ended six weeks early with the arrival of Kid. We rushed off to the hospital with nothing more than what was on our backs and a camera (at least I thought of that!). My older, wiser sister ran to my house and grabbed a few items for my hospital bag.

I'm also noticing that my belly button is pretty dang close to popping out. Yikes! This is also a new experience for me.

We are just under a week away from when I went into labor last time, and I'm really hoping this little peanut stays put. Hopefully, she will join us at the end of March or very beginning of April.

We went in for an ultrasound Saturday night to "check on things." And they wouldn't let me leave until I talked to my doctor. She put me on pelvic rest (Happy Valentine's Day!) and gave me orders to sit as much as possible. Ugh. We go back in to the clinic soon to "discuss."

And I am worried. About so many things. Preterm labor. The NICU. Bed rest. Work. Finances. There are so many things to think about. My sister has been reminding me that I need not worry about anything until the appointment. I've composed a list of questions, that will provide so many answers. I want to be at my appointment now, though. I don't want to wait an hour.

In other news, I'm realizing that Kid will be 2 before I know it. And the mom guilt in me is feeling like I should be planning his second birthday. I have a few themes to choose from: balls (namely, golf), Elmo, or tractors. I lean toward Elmo or tractors. Because I am almost positive he will have a sports themed birthday later in life. But I don't think I want to add any more stress to my life at the moment. Not that I really have that much stress to begin with, but I know my doctor will tell me to eliminate as much as possible.

If you're the praying type, or you send positive vibes, send some my way. My goal is to keep this peanut in for another month. March 16th is my goal.

Pregnant 2.0

Life has been beautifully busy lately. The weather has been ... interesting, to say the least, so we have spent a lot of time outdoors (away from screens, hence the lack of posting). While I most definitely miss the piles and piles of snow we usually have, this has been an okay winter for it to be MIA. Being that I'm 32 weeks pregnant, I can't exactly go out and enjoy my typical winter activities.

Snowboarding is a no.

Skijoring is also a no.

Cross country skiing is a maybe, but it'd have to be the "classic" style and not skate, which is more fun.

We are even rethinking our tree tapping this year.

Now that I have this all written out, we'll probably get dumped on. Or, we will get all of our snow in March and April.

I've made it to 32 weeks pregnant and this little peanut is growing and kicking right along! My closest girlfriend is 2 weeks ahead of me - it has been so fun to compare notes.

So what's different about being pregnant a second time?

1. Movement. I noticed this little lady move earlier than I noticed Kid. Most likely because I was more in tune with what I was supposed to be feeling. With Kid, I always thought, "ooh! movement!" and then it was gas.

2. Body changes. I look really pregnant. I have for awhile now. I like to call in muscle memory. It wasn't that long ago that I was pregnant with Kid. My body remembered exactly what to do: spread out, get bigger, change. I'm not upset by this, but I do know I will have a lot of work to do post-delivery.

3. Exhaustion. Don't get me wrong. I was tired when I was pregnant the first time. But I definitely noticed the second trimester energy. I don't think I have had much energy this entire pregnancy. I've spent it all chasing around a toddler! And he's almost two. I can't believe it. Needless to say, I have definitely been taking advantage of his weekend naps and getting a little shut eye for myself!

4. Emotions. Maybe it's because I'm growing a girl this time around, but my emotions have been all over the place. Hubs and I were talking about car seats and I started crying thinking about how #2 would be in a car seat that isn't rated as well as Kid's. Tears. Big crocodile tears. Over a car seat. And a car seat "issue" we won't have to deal with until #2 is two. Really!?

5. Preparations. I've been more prepared this time around. My hospital bag is half-packed. I went to the hospital while in labor with Kid and didn't have a hospital bag (thank God for sisters!). I have things in place at work that make me feel okay leaving tomorrow if needed. We have bitty newborn sized clothing hanging in the closet, all ready to go.

What differences did you notice between your pregnancies?

{recetas} Beef Lo Mein

I've been experimenting more in the kitchen, and I have to say it has been really successful!

We had soup two nights in a row, and the hubs gave them both high marks. That Pioneer Woman is amazing. I, of course, followed her recipes for the two soups (this one and this one). They were wonderfully delightful.

But tonight, we went for a super simple dinner - lo mein. It was so easy to put together. From fridge to table in 30 minutes. It always takes me a little longer, though, because I can be rather disorganized in the kitchen. And there's that little toddler person always at my feet.

That little toddler person was really helpful tonight. Kid climbed up into his learning tower and stirred some Cheerios. He then added in some applesauce, and helped to "chop" the mushrooms. And by chop the mushrooms, I mean whack them with a wooden spoon. He was occupied and happy, which made dinner making so much easier!

Anyway...Beef Lo Mein.

What you need:

• 1 flank steak
• 1 cup of carrots, julienned
• 16 ounces of mushrooms, sliced
• 8 ounces of snow peas
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 package lo mein noodles (or thin spaghetti noodles)
• 6 tablespoons tamari sauce (or soy sauce)
• 3 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 teaspoons sriracha
• 1.5 teaspoons ground ginger
• olive oil

What you do:

• Cook the noodles according the the package directions.
• Slice the flank steak into thin, bite-sized strips. Cook it through. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, mushrooms, and carrots. Stir frequently; cook until tender. This part only takes about 5 minutes. Probably less. Add the snow peas.
• While the veggies are cooking, mix together the remaining ingredients (tamari sauce through ground ginger) in a bowl.
• Add your noodles to the skillet with the veggies and meat. Pour the sauce over the top and stir to coat everything.
• Eat it up and smile because your husband says, "this is another top 5 meal!" I know, I know. I've said that a few different times. I think he says it far too frequently. But I don't care.

{recetas} Trail Mix

The first week back to school was a tough one. As a teacher, I know I am incredibly blessed with the schedule that I have. Summer. Winter Break. Spring Break. I am lucky, and I know it. But, that doesn't make the rest of the year any easier. The hours are long, and the demands are high. And it's easy to forget what it is like to wake up at 5 when you get a two week break from work!

But we made it through, and we're on to week 3 of being back at school. Thankfully, our sleep schedule has gotten back on track (thanks, Kid!) We are back into the routine of school and daycare and life is good. The yawns are plentiful, but life is good.

One of my goals this year is to be quite prepared in the food department. I'll be really good at meal and snack planning for a couple of weeks, and then we will fall off the wagon. Hubs will stop for lunch at McDonald's or Chipotle. I'll run to the gas station before work for some midday snacks. In hopes to eliminate my many gas station stops, I decided to make a huge (and I mean HUGE!) batch of trail mix.

We have a favorite mix from Target that includes peanut butter chips, and it's quite expensive for a small jar. I went to the local Mills' Fleet Farm to grab the supplies for cheap. If you don't know what Fleet Farm is, let me just tell you that it is an amazing store. You can find just about everything you need at Fleet Farm--shoes, clothes, office supplies, camping gear, farm supplies, the list goes on. It's one of the best places to get nuts and baking supplies, too.

What you need:

• 1 lb raisins
• 12 oz. chocolate chips (I got milk chocolate)
• 12 oz. peanut butter chips
• 1 lb peanuts
• 1 lb M&Ms (they're called Choco-Buttons at Fleet Farm)

What you do:

• Pour all of the ingredients into a large bowl. Use a spatula to stir. To be extra-fancy, pour the ingredients in a little at a time: half a bag of raisins, some chocolate chips, some M&Ms, etc. I just went for it. Dumped each bag in one at a time.
• Anyway. Stir. Again, to be fancy, use a funnel to pour your trail mix into your storage container. I got extra-large glass jars at Target a year ago that had been sitting empty. They were the perfect size.
• If you aren't fancy (like me) make a "funnel" out of a gallon freezer bag by cutting off one of the corners. Use that to pour the mix into the jars. Or, just store it in the freezer bag. Lots of options. It's up to you.
• Finally, enjoy the trail mix by the handful. It really is delicious.
• Oh! Another thing I did. Kid loves to eat whatever we eat, but I am a little nervous about him eating peanuts and M&Ms (choking hazards). I took a half cup of raisins, a quarter cup of peanut butter chips, and a quarter cup of chocolate chips and made him his own jar of "trail mix." He LOVES it, and he thinks he's pretty cool eating trail mix with mom and dad.