Bedrest; sounds kind of nice doesn’t it?

Watching all the seasons of Parks and Recreation and Weeds because the doctor ordered it is nice at first…like real nice…but laying on your side for days on end and only being able to get up to go to the bathroom and shower can get old FAST. And it does, trust me.

Some women may only have to be on bedrest for a few days throughout their entire pregnancy, while others can be bedridden for MONTHS! I was on bedrest for about 5 weeks because my little one decided to give this mama high blood pressure. Maybe you’re also on bedrest due to high blood pressure or preeclampsia or maybe you’re at risk for preterm labor.

Bedrest often gets prescribed with these high-risk situations, and it can be emotionally challenging. You might start to worry about everything little thing that could go wrong, or if somehow you could’ve prevented this. Or, you may start to worry about all of the chores not getting done, your finances, and how this is affecting your spouse.

Sitting in bed for days can make your brain go haywire, but luckily, there are several things you can do to help calm your mind and survive bedrest during pregnancy.

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8 Clever Ways to Survive Bedrest During Pregnancy

Listed below are 8 things you can do to help pass the time while you’re on bedrest and help you enjoy your pregnancy.

1.) SLEEP! 

Everyone is going to tell you this. Listen to them!

You’ll soon be wishing for just ONE full night of uninterrupted sleep. Trust me, just sleep as much as you can.

2.) Finish Baby Shopping

Isn’t online shopping the greatest thing invented? Be sure you’re stocked with all the baby necessities before your little one arrives. You may want to invest in an Amazon Prime account if you don’t have one already.

Some must-have baby products of mine were the NoseFrida Snotsucker with extra Hygiene Filters, our Bouncer Chair, and our Tula.

3.) Research and Prepare for Baby

It always seems like most new moms say they wish they would’ve spent more time preparing for when baby actually arrived and not just so focused on the labor and delivery part.

Before I had my first baby, I felt like I had done a pretty good job preparing, but even I had seemed to put too much focus on just the birth and kind of felt like “now what?” after baby was here.

I spent hours searching the web on breastfeeding, vaccines, newborn procedures, the first bath, etc. But, there were still many things that never once crossed my mind until baby was actually here, like “when do you stop swaddling?” or “when do you start brushing their teeth?” or “can you co-sleep safely?” Not to mention, all the weird, but completely normal, things that newborns do.

4.) Finalize Your Birth Plan

Of course, you can never be fully prepared for childbirth, but playing out the different possible scenarios and creating a birth plan based on what you would prefer to happen will help create a more positive birth experience for all involved.

Know what your options are and have a simple, easy to read, one page birth plan available for your nurse/OB/midwife. Think about questions like, “do you want delayed cord clamping?”, “who do you want to be present for the birth?”, “what will you do for pain relief?” and “do you have any special requests if you have to have a cesarean section?”

5.) Practice Positive Affirmations

Spend some time looking up and practicing positive birth affirmations. Especially, if you’re hoping for a natural birth. Print off your favorite ones and make fun signs to hang up in your birthing room.

They’ll help reduce fear and build your confidence. They’ll also help you remember the purpose of your contractions and set your mind off the pain.

6.) Read

Read all of your favorite books. Read out loud. Read to baby. Read baby some of your favorite children’s books. Let him/her hear your voice. Tell them stories that are important to you and use this as a time to bond.

7.) Watch All Your Favorite Movies and TV Shows

Catch up on all of your favorite TV shows. Have a date night at home. Watch some classic movies or binge-worthy Netflix shows and spend some quality alone time with your significant other. You’re not going to get much for the next 18 years. 😉

There’s even a ton of funny mom movies that you’re sure to relate to (or at least soon to!).

8.) Have Friends and Family Come Visit

Invite your family and friends over to sit and catch-up with you before baby decides to make her arrival. Enjoy a meal together or play some board games.

You may even be able to get them help you finish baby-proofing and do some of your “nesting” for you. I know wanting to clean like a maniac but not being able to was one of the hardest things about bedrest for me.

This is Only Temporary

Bedrest is rough! But, before you know it, you’ll have a precious new bundle of joy in your lives, and you’ll be knee deep in dirty diapers, baby laundry, and trying to master the art of breastfeeding. But for now, just try not to get too restless. Get some quality time in with your friends, family and significant other, and SLEEP! Seriously…SLEEP!

What About You? 

What helped you survive bedrest? Share your best tips with us in the comments below and be sure to share this post with all of your bed-ridden, mama-to-be friends.