10 Things I Learned During 10 Weeks of Hospital Bedrest

I was only 22-weeks into my pregnancy with our son Andrew when a routine appointment showed that my cervix was beginning to thin and open. My perinatologist immediately sent me to Labor and Delivery for evaluation, where it was confirmed that I was having contractions. After months of a seemingly textbook pregnancy, I was immediately admitted to the hospital on bedrest. For the next 10 weeks, I was carefully monitored, pumped with various medications and injections, and went to bed each night not knowing if I’d still be pregnant the next day. Miraculously, Andrew continued to grow for 10 additional weeks as I laid in bed with an open cervix. 

The weeks I spent as a resident of the antepartum unit were incredibly difficult, but certainly worth it. During my time on the unit, I learned several valuable lessons that helped make the experience more bearable and, at times, even enjoyable. 

1. Think positive. Okay, I’ll admit that I hate this phrase, mainly because it often feels uneffective and unhelpful. “Thinking positive” never cured my ovarian cysts, helped me get pregnant, or took away the grief I felt after experiencing previous losses, though many people often suggested it could. *Insert eyeroll here.* But in the case of preterm labor, thinking positive can be effective. My doctor explained that there is actual research supporting a connection between stress and preterm labor, and that her own experience with patients has seemed to back that up (though not always--see #2). So how do we “think positive” in such a terrifying situation? For me, thinking positive meant listening to soothing music, keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus, and trying my best to find simple joys in each day. 

2. Let go. While “thinking positive” can certainly be helpful, the health of your baby is not entirely contingent on your ability to relax. It’s normal to feel a wide spectrum of emotions, including stress and fear. (As my doctor said, “I’d be more concerned if you didn’t feel this way.”) Your body was created to do amazing things and women in high-stress situations give birth to healthy babies all the time. While relaxation was highly encouraged, my doctor also explained that no amount of medication, bedrest, or “positive thinking” would be able to keep baby from coming when my body or my baby was ready.  Let go of guilt and remember that preterm labor is not your fault. 

3. Keep a routine. It’s easy to lose your sense of time when you’re in the hospital. Setting a routine helped me feel more “normal” and even made the days pass faster than expected. Try to wake up, go to bed, and eat meals at the same time each day. Keep a morning and night time routine just as you would at home. Sure, there may be nights when you’re kept awake by contractions, the nasty side effects of a magnesium drip, and constant beeping, followed by days when you need to sleep, but do your best to keep a routine whenever possible. 

4. Get to know your nurses. They will become your second family and can have such a positive impact on your extended stay. Take the time to chat with them, remember their names, and thank them for all they do. (As someone who didn’t always have bathroom privileges, believe me when I say they put up with a lot with very little recognition!) My nurses were not only my caretakers, but were also advocates, listening ears, and friends to me. While I missed home, they made my stay feel much less lonely! 

5. Wear your own clothes. I wore a hospital gown for the first three weeks of my stay before a nurse told me that I could wear my own clothes if I preferred. Talk about a game changer! I felt much more human once I had leggings, loose tops, and comfortable socks to wear. (Be sure to ask a doctor or a nurse about this--I occasionally had to switch back to hospital gowns for exams or each time labor seemed to pick up again). 

6. Make yourself at home. You’d be amazed at how much photos of your family, a fluffy blanket, your own toiletries, and simple decorations can make a sterile hospital room feel like home. One of my nurses brought me tape, scrapbook frames, and glue so that I could decorate my ultrasound photos and tape them to a cabinet. My husband hung hearts for Valentine’s Day. A friend sent me a house plant and another made me a room spray from essential oils. Before long, my space felt more like a dorm room than a hospital room. 

7. Stock up on snacks. I often munch on snacks throughout the day, especially during pregnancy. It helped me to keep a few of my favorite snacks on hand. Nuts, RX Bars, trail mix, nutrition shakes, and chocolate were my favorite go-tos. I expected to put on a lot of weight on bedrest, but actually lost a few pounds during the first month due to nerves, loss of muscle tone, and the monotony of hospital food--not the result I was hoping for as I tried to help my baby grow bigger! If you find you aren’t gaining enough weight, ask your doctor for tips (mine recommended supplementing with a nutrition shake). 

8. Go outside if you can. Once my labor calmed down, my doctor recommended that I spend an hour outside in a wheelchair. I cannot adequately describe what a difference this made for me, especially after a whole month of being cooped up inside. I went outside about 1-2 times a week and the fresh air and the proof of life outside my hospital room completely brightened my mood each time. (Be sure to check with your doctor first.)

9. Give yourself a task (preferably one you enjoy). While I certainly spent a significant amount of time watching Hulu and reading books, it also helped me to feel productive. Assign yourself bedrest-appropriate tasks such as researching baby gear and setting up a baby registry, redesigning your website or blog, working on a craft for the nursery, or reading a parenting book. One of my favorite bedrest activities was continuing to prepare episode outlines, record, and plan social media posts for Through the Lens, a podcast I cohost with my friend Holly. The key is to find something that feels productive, without adding any stress to your life. Create a “job” that doesn’t feel like “work”. If you’re an overachiever, don’t forget to add “REST” to your task list. 

10. Take time to be still. Before a doctor prescribed me bedrest, I was always on-the-go. Setting aside time to rest, pray, listen, and meditate on God’s word were difficult disciplines for me. As challenging as it was, I’m so grateful that I was forced to be still during the months leading up to Andrew’s birth. I’m grateful for the time I had to reflect, bond with my growing baby, and pray over him and over our family. Lean into this time of rest. Take advantage of this opportunity to slow down, unplug from the demands of your day-to-day routine, and take comfort that God’s mercies are new each morning. May we trust in Him to be our sufficiency for each and every day, bedrest and beyond.