Bed Rest Mom (eBook)

Preface
Introduction
Part One – Home-based bed rest
Knowing the rules, types of bed rest
• Overview of bed rest
• Questions to ask your medical team to clarify your restrictions
What to expect
• Understanding the realities of bed rest
Importance of routine
• Tips to establishing a routine
• Why a routine is important for sanity
• Exercise on planning your day
Asking for help
• Being clear on the help you need
• Who to ask for help and how
• Areas where you will need the most help
• Exercise on asking for help with draft email to send to family and friends and
worksheet to get clear on what help you need
Nutrition
• Importance of healthy eating
• How to stay nourished when you can’t cook
• Ideas to fill your fridge from the couch
• Recommended books on nutrition and cookbooks for when you have baby
Getting stocked
• Supplies needed for bedroom
• Snacks to help get you through the day
• Entertainment – books, media ideas
• Items for a comfortable sleep
• Living room essentials for time on the couch
Caring for your body
• Understanding what support you can receive (chiropractor, massage)
• Exercises to prevent bed sores
Packing for hospital
4
• Overview and explanation of essential items in the event of a sudden hospital
admission
• Exercise checklist for packing for hospital
Emotional rollercoaster
• Dealing with the mental and emotional challenge of bed rest
• Importance of establishing a support system and being honest about how you
are feeling
Part Two – Hospital based bed rest
Preparing for hospital
• What to expect
• Questions to ask prior to admission
Packing for hospital
• Essential items to make a long-term stay comfortable and help you focus on the
positive
• Exercise packing for hospital checklist
Asking for help
• Being clear on the help you need to ensure your family is supported while you
are away
• Specific ways family and friends can help
• Exercise asking for help with draft email and checklist
The early days
• What to expect when you’re admitted
• Adjusting to hospital routine
• Medical staff who will visit you
Early mornings
• Early morning tests and medical rounds
• How to set boundaries when appropriate
Connecting with children at home
• Ways to be an active parent from a hospital bed
• How to engage children and help them understand your situation
• Taking the fear out of mom being away
Knowing the rules – types of bed rest
• Questions to ask your medical team to determine your restrictions
What tests to expect
• Overview of common tests – ultrasound, non-stress test, blood draws, urine dips
weigh ins, routine medical rounds
Developing your birth plan
• Exercise for women who have little control over the actual birth
• Making your intentions clear in advance
Hospital life
• What type of activity to expect
• Adjusting to noises and hospital codes (ex. code blue, code white)
Socialization
• Connecting with other moms on your unit
• Establishing rules for visitors and being clear on what you need them to bring on
visits
Privacy
• Understanding privacy invasion in a hospital
5
Getting ready for baby
• How to prepare for baby and access resources from your hospital bed including
lactation nurse, dietician, physical therapist, public health unit, circumcision,
personal care
Emotions
• Wide range of emotions hospitalized women experience
• Mental health issues and asking for help
• Supporting other moms
Final words
• Last thoughts