Week One of Bedrest – a Review

I could used to this. Being on modified bedrest means that I don’t have to lie down all the time, I can do a few things. And believe me, I am being careful, I’ve done this before, I know what to do and what not to do. I would never ever take a chance.

So every day this week I’ve allowed myself one ‘outing’, what fun! I get to sleep in, rest during the morning, shower at 11, go for lunch with a friend or my mom, come home, rest a little more, make supper (i.e. heat up meal in microwave), clean up (i.e. throw away boxes, stack dishwasher) and chill in front of the TV.

In fact the only bad thing about being home is using too much T paper (from having to pee all the time) and also the half lying, half sitting to type thing.

This is how it works. First make sure you have snacks and the infernal water bottle next to you (v NB as need to keep uterus hydrated). Oh and your cell phone plus mobile handset for your landline, because your mother / sister / friend / husband WILL phone just as you have gotten yourself comfy. You then pile pillows up against the headboard / wall, two across for lower back support, one upright so that you don’t knock your head against the top of the headboard when you lean back. Trust me on this one.

Then you sit down, and put another pillow on your lap for your laptop (lap/laptop – neat huh, am really using it as it was meant to be used). If cold, pull duvet up. Trying to position the laptop at a comfortable distance is v tricky. Well it’s more about trying to reach the keyboard past your gigantic belly. Your arms can’t go over your belly or else they wont reach (plus you would look v stupid). You can’t pull the laptop closer because of aforementioned obstacle. So your arms have to go around the obstacle, on the sides, which shortens their reach. So in order to reach the laptop and get more comfy, you slide down a little. Unfortunately this causes your underpants to slide up your bum. Which is highly uncomfortable (unless you are into that sort of thing?), so you sit up, pull your underpants out your bum and start over again.

Then just as you get comfy, with underpants out of bum (butt/ass whatever you call it, we call it a bum), you need to pee. Repeat whole process from the top.

(Side note: I do NOT getting wearing thongs. To willingly have your underpants up your butt crack all day sounds positively masochistic to me. (I am not even going to get into the whole hygiene thing) I’ve tried it once or twice, I spent the whole day trying to pull it out my butt and then clench my butt cheeks hard so that it wouldn’t go up my butt again. Absolute torture. Plus I looked ridiculous walking around with clenched butt cheeks the whole day)

Funnily enough sitting at a desk is the hardest for me and the thing that causes me the most contractions. Standing is fine (although can’t do that for too long cos of pressure on cervix), lying down is optimal and the half lying, half sitting is not too bad. But if I sit at my desk for longer than an hour I suffer. I don’t think my bits like being squashed. If I crunch my tummy it bites back with a contraction. Which as we all know is v bad. So just as well I am off work.

Right. In the time it’s taken me to type up this post and get comfy, I now need to pee again. Perfect. Ecstatically happy about that.

Here we go, from the top again…….

Comments

[Amy]

Here's a few things that I found made all that easier. I used a birth ball for the time sitting up. It just made it all so much easier. (it also helped when my hips really started hurting). Another thing, get a little bucket (something with a handle) to keep the phones, notepad, latest book, etc in. It makes it so much easier to keep it all with you. And last, I will say my bedrest started at 28 weeks. Well, the part where I was only allowed out of bed to pee and shower. I was in hospital then. Anyway, at that point, I found the overbed tables that they had were wonderful for the laptop thing. You might see if you can rent one from a medical supply company. I don't know if that is possible in SA, but it's worth a thought. Also, if you check online, I know there are several places that sell them.

[Cathy]

Girl why wear underwear at all while home!? It's the first thing to come off when I arrive home - then the bra.

I missed my true decade.

[Lioness]

U bent zo grappig, FULL ON!

[Mandy]

Never could understand the thong thing myself, but truly loved your descriptions of both thong wearing and how to appropriately get around "the obstacle" otherwise known as your v. beautiful pregnant belly. no, I haven't seen it, but there are babies in there, trust me...it is beautiful.

[Mollie]

You're thinging my thong.

[Rebekah]

I have tried on a number of occasions to wear a thong, and I am with you ... now way, no how is that piece of fabric going to EVER feel comfortable up my ass!! I know, practice makes perfect, but during the seconds, hours, days and weeks it MIGHT take me to POSSIBLY get used to it, I WOULD HAVE HALF MY UNDERWEAR UP MY ASS!!!

Oh, and did you know that there are now THONG pantiliners? What the ....?!?

'Nuff said.

[Laura]

I will be coming over to SA to join you in your lounging!! Sounds lovely. Hope you get to stay on the modified bedrest AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. The hardcore bedrest is a little ooky. But I know you will do whatever it takes.
So KEEP LOUNGING!

[Cherith]

LMAO Tertia (never posted, just had to this time). You are describing this perfectly. I can't deal with the thong thing either. Jen will tell you they are great, she's nuts (but I love her).

On bedrest, I will admit that I just went without. I just could not deal with the perpetual wedgie on top of all the other issues.

Love to you and babies.

[Moxie]

Dude, you're at home by yourself all day anyway, so why wear undies in the first place? Think of all the wear and tear you'll save on your underpants by not wearing them. And all the water and detergent you'll save by not having to wash them. Do it for the environment!

[victoria]

Oh my God, I just read your letter to your mother and it made me cry and cry. You are so LUCKY to have her! I have never had a relationship like that with my mother. You are so, so fortunate to have that woman as your mother.

[DeAnn]

I do not envy your situation, but I kind of envy the modified bedrest thing. I wish someone would order me to do that.

[persephone]

"Why would anyone wear underpants in bed" was the first thing that came to mind but I thought perhaps I'd better keep that to myself. Luckily all of you said it first. :)

[Kim]

Tertia: Thank you so much for your blog and your incredible strength and emotional honesty. To say to any perfect stranger who may be out there "compare yourself to me, you'll always come out better" is unbelievable.
The advice that you offer in getting through the hell of ttc has come to my rescue time and again. Wishing you plenty of good...

Kim