My "day out"

While I was on bedrest my favorite day of the week was the day I had an appointment. It seems sad and pathetic now- and it seemed just as bad back then but it was a change! I looked forward to getting dressed for a reason. It was a change instead of staying in my pj's or sweatpants (which were about the only things that fit). It was a reason for putting on makeup. I always looked forward to the drive because I would go through the Dunkin Donuts drive thru and get myself a decaf iced coffee and a donut. Just something to break the monotony of bedrest.

I remember there was one week after I had been on bedrest for quite a while and they were talking to me about possibly taking me off some of my restrictions. I was so excited to go in and hear what I would be allowed to do. I remember getting there and they took my blood pressure and of course, it was high. They made me lie down and took it again- still high. After they took it a 3rd time it was clear I was still on strict bed rest and now subject to even more testing.

I was angry. Angry at my body for failing to maintain a healthy pregnancy, angry with the Dr, the nurses, with life, with well everything at that point! If I was going home to more strict bedrest there was no way I was going home without a treat for myself. I wanted subway. It was the one thing I could do that would make my day a little better.

I remember driving across the street for my sandwich. I pulled up in front of subway and there was a sign that said "Closed for construction". That set it off. I was an emotional wreck! I started sobbing in my car in the middle of the road. Subway was located in a complex so there wasn't a ton of traffic but people did have to go around me, lol. People were looking at me like I was a lunatic. If anyone had asked me why I was crying they probably would have called the police to have my mental health evaluated. I'm sure the only thing I would have told them at point was that I was hysterical because "Suh-Suh-Suuuhbwaaay is CLOSED!!!" Never-mind that there was one a block away, I was inconsolable.

May your 'day out' where ever it be too, always go better then my trip to subway. :)

Freebies

Here is another list of freebies from the MoneySavingMom blog! I love this blog so much I can't even tell you. Every time I sign up for freebies I get awesome coupons.

Helpful links

Sorry for not posting for a few days. We had an eventful few days. My sister came to visit (we live far from each other so it was a big deal). Then little man had an allergic reaction to something- but we still have no clue what it was. Thankfully that wasn't that big of a deal and he recovered very quickly.

Today I wanted to share some links that may be helpful.
Sidelines Non-profit for complicated pregnancies and premature births
Bedrest Checklist- (from Sidelines)Take this to your Dr as a guide for your activity level on bedrest
17P info (from Sidelines)
Gestational Diabetes (from Sidelines)
Preterm Labor (from Sidelines)
Pregnant with multiples (from Sidelines)
March of Dimes
ADA Gestational Diabetes page
Baby Center Gestational Diabetes page
Baby Center Bedrest page
Baby Center Preclampsia page
Baby Center Preterm labor page
Baby Center IUGR page
Baby Center Placenta Previa Page
Baby Center Placental Abruption page
Baby Center Excessive Amniotic Fluid Page
Baby Center Cervical Insufficiency page
Preeclampsia Foundation

Quick Meals

I will not claim you can "cook" while on bedrest. I am suggesting you can make a meal for your family.
Buy precooked meats, or cuts that can be cooked in the crock pot. Use microwavable meals, I personally loved Hormel Refrigerated entrees which cook in about 4 minutes. Take advantage of your grocery store's bakery for things like dinner rolls. Keep your ingredients to a minimum. It means less time standing in your kitchen assembling. Use canned soups and precut fruit and veggies as shortcuts. They make frozen vegetable's in steamable bags that cook in about 4-6 minutes. There are even complete meals that will cook like the steamable veggies.

I should mention that my wonderful husband usually cleaned up after the meals. There are several things I did to keep cleaning as easy as possible. We used paper plates and disposable utensils. I am normally more Eco-friendly but this was a situation where I didn't mind being a little wasteful. They also make slow cooker liners which I highly suggest using. These are just a few ideas I hope you find helpful.

When bedrest gets depressing

I struggled with my emotions while I was on bedrest. A lot.

I felt like a failure as a woman because I couldn't keep my baby baking without medical intervention. I was so upset at the thought of him being early. I agonized over the health issues that he could face. I cried because I felt useless and trapped. I was upset because I thought my husband could never find me attractive on days when I couldn't stand up long enough to put on make up or do my hair, or even change out of my pj's. I was miserable because my house was a mess and I couldn't clean it. I wanted food but I couldn't cook. I was sick of TV but I couldn't leave the house.

At some points I was just plain angry. Why was this happening to me? I waited to get pregnant until I had finished school and had a decent job. I felt I had done virtually everything right (not that there is a right way or wrong way). To add insult to injury I had trouble getting pregnant in the first place, and now I can't even handle carrying my child to term? I had taken so many pregnancy tests that came back negative that I didn't bother to try another until my husband suspected I might be pregnant. I was shocked when I saw a positive. So shocked I took two more tests and then went to the OB before we both actually believed it. That was the part about being high risk that hurt the most. It was how incredibly bad I had wanted Little Man, how I didn't think we would ever have him, and then to face so many uncertainties. It was heart-wrenching.

Pregnancy hormones certainly don't help the situation. The worst part is the isolation though. Lucky for our generation we are more connected then ever. Take advantage of this- Skype, Facebook, Tweet, go on message boards, or call someone.

Bedrest can definitely leave you depressed. That's precisely why I wanted to start my blog. Don't be afraid to reach out, don't feel alone. You are not alone, there are plenty who have been there or are there right now.