Bed Rest Mom is a support book to help pregnant women navigate the emotions, isolation and uncertainty that comes with home or hospital based bed rest, written by a mom who survived both types of bed rest with two pregnancies. In this book, Cynthia Lockrey shares her personal experience of two high-risk pregnancies and offers practical advice to help women cope with being placed on home and hospital based bed rest.
Best Rest Mom focuses on the emotional realities women experience, offers practical advice on topics such as Asking for Help and Preparing for Hospital, and includes exercises to help move women through their journey.
PrefaceIntroductionPart One Home-based bed restKnowing the rules, types of bed rest
Overview of bed rest
Questions to ask your medical team to clarify your restrictionsWhat to expect
Understanding the realities of bed restImportance of routine
Tips to establishing a routine
Why a routine is important for sanity
Exercise on planning your dayAsking for help
Being clear on the help you need
Who to ask for help and how
Areas where you will need the most help
Exercise on asking for help with draft email to send to family and friends andworksheet to get clear on what help you needNutrition
Importance of healthy eating
How to stay nourished when you can't cook
Ideas to fill your fridge from the couch
Recommended books on nutrition and cookbooks for when you have babyGetting stocked
Supplies needed for bedroom
Snacks to help get you through the day
Entertainment books, media ideas
Items for a comfortable sleep
Living room essentials for time on the couchCaring for your body
Understanding what support you can receive (chiropractor, massage)
Exercises to prevent bed soresPacking for hospital4
Overview and explanation of essential items in the event of a sudden hospitaladmission
Exercise checklist for packing for hospitalEmotional rollercoaster
Dealing with the mental and emotional challenge of bed rest
Importance of establishing a support system and being honest about how youare feelingPart Two Hospital based bed restPreparing for hospital
What to expect
Questions to ask prior to admissionPacking for hospital
Essential items to make a long-term stay comfortable and help you focus on thepositive
Exercise packing for hospital checklistAsking for help
Being clear on the help you need to ensure your family is supported while youare away
Specific ways family and friends can help
Exercise asking for help with draft email and checklistThe early days
What to expect when you're admitted
Adjusting to hospital routine
Medical staff who will visit youEarly mornings
Early morning tests and medical rounds
How to set boundaries when appropriateConnecting with children at home
Ways to be an active parent from a hospital bed
How to engage children and help them understand your situation
Taking the fear out of mom being awayKnowing the rules types of bed rest
Questions to ask your medical team to determine your restrictionsWhat tests to expect
Overview of common tests ultrasound, non-stress test, blood draws, urine dipsweigh ins, routine medical roundsDeveloping your birth plan
Exercise for women who have little control over the actual birth
Making your intentions clear in advanceHospital life
What type of activity to expect
Adjusting to noises and hospital codes (ex. code blue, code white)Socialization
Connecting with other moms on your unit
Establishing rules for visitors and being clear on what you need them to bring onvisitsPrivacy
Understanding privacy invasion in a hospital5Getting ready for baby
How to prepare for baby and access resources from your hospital bed includinglactation nurse, dietician, physical therapist, public health unit, circumcision,personal careEmotions
Wide range of emotions hospitalized women experience
