Being on bed rest is really, really hard. Fortunately, for me it had wonderful results. I was on bed rest with my first son for two months and for four and half months with my second (yes, 4.5 months!) All the research indicates that bed rest in pregnancy is not necessarily proven to extend a problematic pregnancy, yet in my case and many others I know of, it worked wonders. I developed pre-eclampsia with my second at only 22 weeks. In most cases, that would mean delivery shortly thereafter. Friends that have an incompetent cervix were also able to carry their babies to term; simply because taking the weight off of the cervix can help it from dilating. I think bed rest truly does help.
Not only did strict bed rest help me, it actually LOWERED my protein levels.Keep in mind that I shocked the doctors with this. Very rarely does protein go down, but it did in my case. I was extremely fortuante to have the support of our antenatal home care program in our city. Nurses came by my home daily to take my pressures, help me hear his heart beat and did a general check up of my health. I was told I was a hospital patient being managed at home. It really helped to also be in my own home, but sheer torture in boredom alone! I hope to post some really interesting links in the near future for other mom’s on bed rest. That was one thing I really wanted was to connect with other mom’s going through this. I was never really able to find a lot of resources to help me through such a difficult time.
The only challenge with bed rest, it is that when it comes time for delivery, you are de-conditioned. Your muscles are fatigued and get tired very easily. The only real thing you can do is to try and stretch if the doctor allows and eat the absolute best that you can.
A friend of mine has a surrogate carrying her twin babies. The doctor has said for awhile that the smallest one has lost a lot of amniotic fluid and may not survive. At 22.5 weeks, the mom started bleeding profusely and was put on hospital bedrest. The bleeding has stopped, and the babies’ heartbeats are strong. However, the doctor has asked the parents to make a choice as to how to handle the situation if the baby who is in trouble doesn’t make it. Whether to deliver them both at that time or what since leaving the baby inside may cause a bacterial infection which could affect the healthy twin. Does anyone have any insight into any of this?
By: Skyler on July 13, 2009
at 2:27 am
I am really sorry to hear your friend is going through such a scary time! Having been through two very high risk pregnancies myself I know the fear lack of control you feel. I would suggest for support you try to different routes; the first is to leave a post on Babycenter in the Medical Pregnancy, Questions, Worries and Complaints board, (http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a1825105/medical_pregnancy_questions_worries_and_complaints) it is answered by a medical OB. He tends to tell it like it is, but will be honest based on the information provided. The second is to have your friend contact Sidelines (www.sidelines.org) they offer free emotional support to high risk women via phone or e-mail. They will match your friend with a mother who has been through an identical situation which can help. Good luck!
By: Kim on July 13, 2009
at 7:40 am