the prospect of bed rest may sound like a welcome reprieve from your busy life at first but if it lasts long you can feel isolated frustrated and bored. fortunately there are things you can do to make your days weeks or months of bed rest more pleasant and productive. stay on schedule. days and nights can easily run together if you spend both in bed. make it a point to maintain some type of schedule. get dressed in the morning. keep a to-do list and plan "activities" for the day such as calling a few friends scheduling a doctor's appointment or ordering baby items online. read up. catch up on reading -- something you won't likely have time for once the baby comes. good picks include parenting books magazines and web sites; baby name books; newspapers; magazines; novels; or even children's books that you may want to read to your little one later. catch some flicks. enjoy movies on tv online or from services that deliver dvds directly to your home. let people help. although you may find it difficult to ask for help you must. if a friend or family member asks how they may help offer specifics such as picking up items at the grocery store or taking your turn on the car pool until you're up and out again. keep a journal. keep a journal to vent (for your eyes only) or to document your pregnancy (possibly a gift to share with your child one day). better yet keep one of each type. catch up on correspondence. answer letters pay bills write thank-you notes for baby shower gifts or make a list of people (with names and email addresses) to contact when the baby is born. get online support. use the internet to find support from other mothers on bed rest. check out message boards and chat rooms for empathy and advice.
how can i best cope with being on bed rest during my pregnancy?