10 Ways to Stave off Boredom during Pregnancy Bedrest

Staying in bed all day sounds like an ideal prescription for most people, but if you’re a pregnant woman on bedrest, it’s more like a jail sentence. Establishing a routine (and sticking to it!) is the best way to regain control over your life and maintain a positive outlook throughout the duration of your bedrest. Just because your physical activities are limited, doesn’t mean you’ll be any less productive or have less fun.

Before you start any new activities, make sure to check with your healthcare provider. Here are some creative ideas to help make your bedrest a little less ho-hum:

1. Bring the salon to you.
Ever wanted to try something different with your hair, nails, or make-up? Now’s the time to experiment; after all, if you hate it, no one has to see it! Pamper yourself with a manicure and pedicure (brands that are safe for pregnant women are now available in the market). Ask a friend who’s good with make-up to try on a different look for you. Curious about a new hairstyle? Consider asking your trusted hairdresser to do a house visit and give you a new ‘do.

2. Make (and share) history.
Create a blog, vlog (video blog), or plog (picture blog) to document the progress of your pregnancy. Show off your sonogram , get opinions on baby names, or share pictures of your growing belly to friends and family living abroad. Not tech savvy? Keep a journal - you may want to read some of those entries with your children one day. Even better, why not handwrite several letters for your child to open on special occasions in the future, such as his or her graduation, wedding day, or a first date?

3. Reach out and touch someone.
Take the time now to have an actual, meaningful conversation with friends and family you’ve been meaning to contact. Get parenting advice from respected elders; put an end to ongoing fight with a sibling; establish weekly phone calls or online chats with your best friend in another country; tell your mom how much you appreciate her carrying you around for nine months, now that you know what it’s like. You may be surprised at how rewarding it feels to reconnect with those important to you.

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4. Play with your other kids.
Bedrest can be hard on children, too. Spend quality time with them despite your limited mobility. Try reading more bedtime stories with them, or take naps together. Let them make a fort out of pillows and “hide” with them under the covers. Watch their favorite movies beside them, and don’t let anyone interrupt your movie session. On the weekends, have breakfast in bed together. The possibilities are endless - just make sure your significant other doesn’t feel left out.

5. Out with the old, in with the new.
Make room for baby and yourself by doing a little personal spring cleaning. Organize old pictures, update your address book, or go through your toiletry and cosmetics bag to throw out old make-up and skin products. If help is available, go through your wardrobe and get rid of old clothes and shoes. You can even go through digital spring cleaning - delete old email accounts, upgrade your phone apps, and update your FB friends list. Tackling small, overdue tasks will give you a sense of accomplishment and better preparedness mentally and physically for your baby’s arrival.

6. Cry.
Go ahead, let it out. It’s perfectly normal to have the occasional breakdown - rest assured you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Online forums such as Smart Parenting’s ParentChat are available for you if need extra support. Be open with your loved ones and don’t hold your feelings in - the added stress will be unhealthy for you and the baby.

7. Channel your inner geek.
Why settle for being a Hot Mama when you can be an Intelligent Hot Mama? Take advantage of the wealth of information available at your fingertips to develop personal growth. Discover a new genre of music, learn a new language, or read up on cooking styles from your favorite celebrity chefs. If you’ve got baby on the brain and nothing else, then try learning how to make your own baby food, knit a baby blanket, or read about games to stimulate baby’s brain. The best part? You’ll probably end up teaching your child these same skills.

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8. Plan for baby.
If this is your first pregnancy, this can be both overwhelming and exciting. Pick out a color scheme for the nursery, shop for baby carriers, or plan your baby shower. You could even start a list of baby names you like, and ask family and friends to vote on their favorites. On the other hand, if this isn’t the fist pregnancy, you can still learn from the previous children to find more cost-effective and practical solutions for everyday challenges. Either way, you probably won’t run out of things to do. If you need some inspiration, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of websites dedicated to pregnancy and motherhood.

9. Let the games begin.
When sudoku and crossword puzzles get old (and they will), consider having game nights. Invite a few friends over and play games that require lots of acting out and being silly. When was the last time you played pictionary, charades, or truth-or-dare? If you don’t know what to play, make up a new game.  Bend the rules if you want - the only objective of game night is to have fun!

10. Start a collection of your favorite bedtime stories.
No matter how young your baby is, it is never too early to read to him. Brush up on your storytelling skills and pick out titles that are appropriate for every age. You can order books online, or you may want to consider swapping titles – and tips - with fellow moms.

 

Photo by latteda from flickr creative commons