While on bedrest I had time to evaluate the way I was shopping. It was not effective. I never made lists. I bought on impulse. I never had a budget for the month or for my shopping trip. I had never considered coupons or sales. I knew though that I wanted things like paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, wipes, frozen meals all stock piled to last us the first few weeks after my son was born. I designated a place in our hall closet to house our 4-6 weeks worth stock of life's little essentials.
When I was first put on bedrest I started surfing the web. I stumbled onto message boards about budgeting. I found links to tools I never considered using to help me keep track of money, to help me plan meals, to create grocery lists, that listed sales prices ect.
I also found blogs to help me effectively take advantage of sales and coupons and often times links to freebies. I signed up for every free sample of formula and diaper and baby product I could. If I did it often meant a coupon or several coupons came with the item.
If your put on bedrest and worried about money I suggest you make a budget if you don't have one. I use Mint.com but there are several tools out there. Make sure that they are legitimate before you give any old website your information though. First consider how much you have spent on things like food, gas, utilities, over the last several months to determine the average. Then consider if your spending too much. If you are, see where you can cut back.
I make a food and shopping budget for the month. I divide that by four to give me a rough idea of what I want to spend weekly. While I was on bedrest I'd take (or later I'd send my husband) on 1 small shopping trip a week I have kept this habit up ever since- its easier because we always end up needing to make a weekly run for milk and eggs.
Every week on Sunday I had someone pick me up a paper. You don't need a paper but you get the bonus of the coupons. Target, Walmart and your grocery store probably have their weekly sales ad posted online. I liked the paper because I would read through the sales ads and circle the products. Then I used that to create my list. After that I went through the grocery store flyer to determine what was on sale and what meals I could make from those sale items. I tried to keep my meals as easy to make as possible- that didn't always allow for sale items.
I considered my coupons and stacked them with sales where I could. I do admit at the store I would look over the clearance items but I stayed sitting in my little electric cart and I didn't spend a lot of time looking. If you are allowed a day to go grocery shopping save your sanity and TAKE IT !! but don't take forever and do not stand if you are told not to, use an electric cart. Don't forget to make and take along a list!
Write down what the price is when you get a good deal on an excel sheet or in a notebook. I had a list of products like angel soft, bounty, pasta, Pepsi, and the best price I could get these items. This way I knew when to stock up. I found if I waited long enough I could get pasta for 50c and Pepsi for $1.90 a 12 pack. I was able to create our stock as cheap as possible this way. You don't need a hoard but its nice to have a stock for the 1st few weeks with your new baby.
Finally I suggest you surf the web for links to freebies and sign up on all the formula, diaper and baby product websites. They will send you samples and coupons. Even if you don't plan on using them you can trade them at your local mommy groups for ones you do or you could donate them to your local homeless shelter.You can find links to coupons, freebies and the best sales for the week on some of the popular deal-finder blogs.
Friday
Learning to cope Part 3: Money
I was incredibly lucky to be able to work from home, and I know that. It not only helped with the bills but it helped to keep my sanity. I kept me sane when I was tired of TV, the internet, the color of the wall of my bedroom, my curtains and the feeling of being a prisoner in my own home.
At the hospital I was determined though, that if I did not have that option I would find some way to contribute. So again I thought of all the ways I could make things work for me while I was on bed rest. The key is to get creative. I decided I would with help, use craigslist, ebay, and maybe have a garage sale. I would purge my closet (and my husbands) of clothes I didn't wear. I would sell any books I had around the house that I had already read and no longer wanted. I list things things we no longer used but could sell that were sitting in our basement or garage. Never do this without help. I made a list of things that I knew we had but didn't use. I sent my mom or my husband to take pictures of it and I created my ad and posted it online.
Let me say that these things may not amount to a lot of money but I sold a dog crate we were storing in the basement but no longer needed for $50 on craigslist. That money could cover our electric bill for one month. I had made some extra cash while on bedrest and it was a satisfying feeling.
For additional money making ideas you could try selling crafts of Etsy, listing on Fiverr or selling photos on istockphoto. You could also try selling china crystal or silver to Replacements, Ltd.
At the hospital I was determined though, that if I did not have that option I would find some way to contribute. So again I thought of all the ways I could make things work for me while I was on bed rest. The key is to get creative. I decided I would with help, use craigslist, ebay, and maybe have a garage sale. I would purge my closet (and my husbands) of clothes I didn't wear. I would sell any books I had around the house that I had already read and no longer wanted. I list things things we no longer used but could sell that were sitting in our basement or garage. Never do this without help. I made a list of things that I knew we had but didn't use. I sent my mom or my husband to take pictures of it and I created my ad and posted it online.
Let me say that these things may not amount to a lot of money but I sold a dog crate we were storing in the basement but no longer needed for $50 on craigslist. That money could cover our electric bill for one month. I had made some extra cash while on bedrest and it was a satisfying feeling.
For additional money making ideas you could try selling crafts of Etsy, listing on Fiverr or selling photos on istockphoto. You could also try selling china crystal or silver to Replacements, Ltd.
Learning to cope Part 2: Meal planning
Feeding my family was one of the 1st things on my mind. How would I do this when I wasn't allowed out of bed for more then 10 minutes at a time? Its easier then you think. It just requires a bit of creative thinking, using tons of shortcuts and planning ahead. For me it meant going grocery shopping once a week, with a small list, using one of the electric carts. I stuck to my list, did not stop to look at other products and only went while most people would be at work. I also requested assistance getting the bags to my car and with heavy items.
To make things easy I stuck to one store, looked at their weekly flyer and formed my meals around sale items. Most of my meals were crock pot meals or microwavable meals. I used shortcuts like steamable bagged veggies, pre-made salads, the store's rotisserie chicken, and cuts of meat easy to crock pot.
After I was admitted to the hospital I had to pass my grocery shopping onto my husband. My best advice for sending husbands who don't normal do the shopping is to make them a list and keep it simple. If you want a certain brand and size right it down but don't expect that to be what you get.
For me planning my families meals and creating the grocery list kept me occupied. Continuing to make meals for our family made me feel useful when my husband seemed to be carrying out the brunt of the chores in our house on top of going to work full-time.
I kept a stash of snacks for myself and my husband. I had a place by the bed for mine so I didn't have to get up and I didn't need to rely on anyone to bring them to me. There are lots of prepackaged snacks out there. I kept them in reach and kept a variety on hand. I also froze bottles of water and juice. In the mornings I brought some back in a small cooler (to catch condensation and keep them cold) so I'd have something cold to drink throughout the day. Sometimes I'd stash some of my cold snacks with them in the morning to enjoy later too.
To make things easy I stuck to one store, looked at their weekly flyer and formed my meals around sale items. Most of my meals were crock pot meals or microwavable meals. I used shortcuts like steamable bagged veggies, pre-made salads, the store's rotisserie chicken, and cuts of meat easy to crock pot.
After I was admitted to the hospital I had to pass my grocery shopping onto my husband. My best advice for sending husbands who don't normal do the shopping is to make them a list and keep it simple. If you want a certain brand and size right it down but don't expect that to be what you get.
For me planning my families meals and creating the grocery list kept me occupied. Continuing to make meals for our family made me feel useful when my husband seemed to be carrying out the brunt of the chores in our house on top of going to work full-time.
I kept a stash of snacks for myself and my husband. I had a place by the bed for mine so I didn't have to get up and I didn't need to rely on anyone to bring them to me. There are lots of prepackaged snacks out there. I kept them in reach and kept a variety on hand. I also froze bottles of water and juice. In the mornings I brought some back in a small cooler (to catch condensation and keep them cold) so I'd have something cold to drink throughout the day. Sometimes I'd stash some of my cold snacks with them in the morning to enjoy later too.
Learning to cope Part : Panic sets in
Upon hearing the term "Bed Rest" I went into panic mode. Who would do the shopping, the cleaning, the cooking? What am I suppose to do all day? What will I do about work? Little man's room, oh dear lord little man's room is no where near ready!
After spending time in the hospital thinking about what I would do, I formulated a plan. I would continue to feed my family with simple meals that required little to no effort on my part. Planning them would keep me sane, making them would make me feel useful. I would call work, talk to them about working from home (I am so so sooo fortunate that they allowed me). If I couldn't work from home I would exhaust every resource I had to save money and bring in some cash. I would enjoy my time, and attempt to keep myself from feeling like my bedroom was a prison.
So when you get the dreaded order for bed-rest first and foremost ladies, DO NOT PANIC! Stress is not good for you and for goodness sake your already on bed-rest! ;) Learn what kind of bed-rest you are being placed on, and what you are allowed to do, and what is forbidden. Follow Dr's orders, you want your baby to stay in the baby oven as long as possible. Most of my tips will be geared towards those on a "Modified Bed-rest" but I hope everyone can take something from my words.
Initially my bed rest wasn't that strict and I was allowed 1 day out to go grocery shopping. After I had ended up in the hospital for three days, trying to stop my labor and my bed-rest was suddenly a much stricter version of modified bed-rest. I was allowed up for a short shower, and up for 10 minutes or less a few times a day. I was instructed to stay off the stairs if I could avoid it. I was also instructed not to lift anything heavier then my cat. Why my cat? I have no idea, that was just the example they used. For the record she is 9lbs. Basically I was to remain in bed 95% of my time. Clearly I, and everyone who had/is currently on or will be placed on bed-rest in the future, we are all up for a mentally and emotionally challenging time.
After spending time in the hospital thinking about what I would do, I formulated a plan. I would continue to feed my family with simple meals that required little to no effort on my part. Planning them would keep me sane, making them would make me feel useful. I would call work, talk to them about working from home (I am so so sooo fortunate that they allowed me). If I couldn't work from home I would exhaust every resource I had to save money and bring in some cash. I would enjoy my time, and attempt to keep myself from feeling like my bedroom was a prison.
So when you get the dreaded order for bed-rest first and foremost ladies, DO NOT PANIC! Stress is not good for you and for goodness sake your already on bed-rest! ;) Learn what kind of bed-rest you are being placed on, and what you are allowed to do, and what is forbidden. Follow Dr's orders, you want your baby to stay in the baby oven as long as possible. Most of my tips will be geared towards those on a "Modified Bed-rest" but I hope everyone can take something from my words.
Initially my bed rest wasn't that strict and I was allowed 1 day out to go grocery shopping. After I had ended up in the hospital for three days, trying to stop my labor and my bed-rest was suddenly a much stricter version of modified bed-rest. I was allowed up for a short shower, and up for 10 minutes or less a few times a day. I was instructed to stay off the stairs if I could avoid it. I was also instructed not to lift anything heavier then my cat. Why my cat? I have no idea, that was just the example they used. For the record she is 9lbs. Basically I was to remain in bed 95% of my time. Clearly I, and everyone who had/is currently on or will be placed on bed-rest in the future, we are all up for a mentally and emotionally challenging time.
Thursday
My Pre-Term Labor story.
My husband and I found out we were having our 1st child back in January 2011 and up until July there were very few problems. I had morning sickness that no medication could help, had a small subchorionic-hematoma and that was the worst of it. Then July 1st I found myself not feeling right. I knew I should call the Dr but I put it off.
After many hours of feeling off and on top of things, not feeling my baby move, I called. They sent me for a non-stress test. I was contracting! I had no idea that my “off feelings” were contractions. I felt discomfort, tightness at the most. I expected to know I was contracting. At the hospital I was given an IV, and a shot of Terbutaline sulfate. When my contractions stopped, I was sent home. It was a scary moment to say the least.
Two days later, it happened again! I was back to the hospital for another IV and another shot. This time they didn’t stop with one shot of T.S., so I was given another. It took hours for the contractions to slow. I was sent home with the pill form of T.S. to take for the next 3 days.
Nearly a week went by and everything was fine, but then the contractions started again! This time it was much different. It hurt and I was contracting every 3 minutes. The Dr ordered an fFN test and checked my cervix. I had started to dilate and efface. The Dr came in and told us my fFN test came back as a positive. I could deliver within the next two weeks. I locked panic filled eyes with my husband and then broke down into tears. How could my baby boy cope with being born so early? The Dr talked to me about the fFN test coming back positive, while being an indicator of something to monitor closely, it did not mean I would deliver in the next two weeks for certain. I believe she told me 1-6 positives result in a birth within two weeks.
I spent the next few days in the hospital, with my husband by my side. We worried, wished, hoped and prayed for our baby to be healthy. I received steroid shots for his little lungs. When finally I stopped contracting as badly I was sent home with orders for bed rest. I spent the next 8 weeks on bed rest. I took Procardia to keep our little guy cooking as long as possible. It helped my contractions but never stopped them completely. My days were boring and long but I learned to cope.
As soon as I stopped taking the Procardia, on doctor's orders at my 36 week appointment, the contractions started to worsen. I had another appointment soon after (due to high blood pressure) and found out I was dilated and effaced much more then before. At 36 weeks and 5 days I went into labor. I was at the hospital for 5 hours before my labor stalled and I was sent home. My next appointment was the following morning. Soon after coming home my water broke. I was induced later that day and my little man was born at 37 weeks, happy and healthy! I am so grateful to every resource, and every positive vibe and prayer I had sent my way, while I tried to keep little man cooking as long as possible in the baby oven. I send the same to all of you. May your bed-rest story have as happy of an ending as mine.
After many hours of feeling off and on top of things, not feeling my baby move, I called. They sent me for a non-stress test. I was contracting! I had no idea that my “off feelings” were contractions. I felt discomfort, tightness at the most. I expected to know I was contracting. At the hospital I was given an IV, and a shot of Terbutaline sulfate. When my contractions stopped, I was sent home. It was a scary moment to say the least.
Two days later, it happened again! I was back to the hospital for another IV and another shot. This time they didn’t stop with one shot of T.S., so I was given another. It took hours for the contractions to slow. I was sent home with the pill form of T.S. to take for the next 3 days.
Nearly a week went by and everything was fine, but then the contractions started again! This time it was much different. It hurt and I was contracting every 3 minutes. The Dr ordered an fFN test and checked my cervix. I had started to dilate and efface. The Dr came in and told us my fFN test came back as a positive. I could deliver within the next two weeks. I locked panic filled eyes with my husband and then broke down into tears. How could my baby boy cope with being born so early? The Dr talked to me about the fFN test coming back positive, while being an indicator of something to monitor closely, it did not mean I would deliver in the next two weeks for certain. I believe she told me 1-6 positives result in a birth within two weeks.
I spent the next few days in the hospital, with my husband by my side. We worried, wished, hoped and prayed for our baby to be healthy. I received steroid shots for his little lungs. When finally I stopped contracting as badly I was sent home with orders for bed rest. I spent the next 8 weeks on bed rest. I took Procardia to keep our little guy cooking as long as possible. It helped my contractions but never stopped them completely. My days were boring and long but I learned to cope.
As soon as I stopped taking the Procardia, on doctor's orders at my 36 week appointment, the contractions started to worsen. I had another appointment soon after (due to high blood pressure) and found out I was dilated and effaced much more then before. At 36 weeks and 5 days I went into labor. I was at the hospital for 5 hours before my labor stalled and I was sent home. My next appointment was the following morning. Soon after coming home my water broke. I was induced later that day and my little man was born at 37 weeks, happy and healthy! I am so grateful to every resource, and every positive vibe and prayer I had sent my way, while I tried to keep little man cooking as long as possible in the baby oven. I send the same to all of you. May your bed-rest story have as happy of an ending as mine.
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