On the bright side, I suddenly have a lot of free time. Sadly, I can’t spend it doing exactly what I please. Instead, I’ve become an unwilling lady of leisure, as I’m officially on semi-bed rest at 37 weeks. Obviously, this was not part of my master plan.
Last Friday, at my 36-week appointment, my belly measured at 33 weeks. Up until that point, my measurements were right on, so my OB was concerned with the change. Because it was 5:00 PM by the time we left her office, we had to wait until Monday morning for a sonogram (so much for our one sonogram plan). I. Suck. At. Waiting. Luckily, for the first time ever, Google was actually reassuring. With the help of the Internet, I easily convinced myself that the measurements were off because I was dehydrated, or something equally benign. Unfortunately, this time around, Dr. Google failed me.
The results of the sonogram showed that almost everything was perfect: my placenta, cervix, and amniotic fluid were all well within reasonable limits, and the baby’s size, based on averaged measurements, was spot on. The one discrepancy? The baby’s abdomen was measuring almost two weeks smaller than the other body parts, most significantly the head.
Apparently, when the baby isn’t get adequate “energy,” some body parts stop growing in order to ensure that the brain gets everything it needs. The discrepancy in head/abdomen size suggested that the baby wasn’t getting enough good stuff to grow. Since everything else was fine, the doctor thinks I was using up too much of the energy, and not leaving enough for the baby (this time around, I haven’t allowed myself to Google a single thing, so my scientific explanation might be a little off – I’m not sure how much I actually absorbed, as I was consumed with worry while listening to the doctor).
Luckily, the discrepancy in size is still a couple days away from being an “official” problem, but it’s borderline. My OB’s first reaction was to pull me completely from work and insist on bed rest so I could reserve more of my energy for the baby. She must have seen the panicked expression on my face, because she reconsidered and decided that in order to preserve my sanity, I could work half days. Now, instead of working 6:30 to 3:30 or 4:00, I’m working 7:30 to 11:30.
Because I get to work half days, I have to spend the rest of the time at home on the couch. That means no cooking, cleaning, laundry, exercise, etc. She said I was allowed to heat-up leftovers, and I could take a 15-minute walk on the weekends, but that was it.
At the appointment, Mr. Tricycle took copious notes and asked a ton of questions, and since then, he’s become The Enforcer. As much as I hate to admit it, I really need someone to force me to follow the rules. It’s been VERY hard for me to adapt to life on the couch, mostly because I still feel great. I enjoy a lazy day as much as the next person, but most of the time I like being busy. To-do lists are my best friend, and I get so much satisfaction from getting things done. Also, taking care of Mr. Tricycle (I’m totally an “Acts of Service” person via The Five Love Languages) is my main avenue for expressing love. Now that I’m banned from making his morning coffee, leaving love notes in his lunch box, making dinner, washing workout clothes, etc., I’m kind of feeling at a loss.
My living room campsite, as set-up by Mr. Tricycle. Luckily the dogs are great company.
Mr. Tricycle has been AMAZING, and has totally picked up all the loose ends. He’s making dinner, cleaning the house, and taking care of almost everything I typically do. He insisted on making up the pull-out bed in the living room and checks in every day at lunch to make sure I’m no longer vertical. He even called my best friend at work to make sure I was sitting down while teaching. I jokingly call him my jailer, but it’s a good thing I have him around to remind me what’s important right now.
The dogs are really happy to have me home every afternoon, and they both dig bed rest in a big way. I’m able to do lots of planning and work on projects for school, and I am catching up on all the trashy TV I’ve got DVR’ed. With all this free time, I might even make the Hellobee leader board – watch out @Chopsuey119 – think I can go from Kiwi to Wonderful Pumpkin on 3 weeks of bed rest?
Even though I’ve had to kiss most of my pre-baby to-do list goodbye, I’m quickly coming to terms with the new normal, at least for the next three or four weeks.
Did you do bed rest? Do you have any survival tips for me?
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
I’m sorry you’re on bedrest, but I’m glad to hear that DH is playing the enforcer (I’d need my dh to do the same!) and hope that baby T is back to the growth they’re looking for! Thinking of you in these final weeks…
coffee bean / 30 posts
I was on bed rest for 8 weeks – it can be really hard! What helped me was having a schedule/routine of sorts. I blocked my time during the day like I would have if I was at work, even if it was stuff . i.e.: 8:00-8:30 = showering and getting ready 9:00 – 10:00 = Live with Kelly, etc. Sounds ridiculous, but it helped me keep my sanity! Also: Peapod grocery delivery is the absolute best.
pomegranate / 3225 posts
I’m so sorry! Take care of yourself. I”m sure baby will be okay!
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
Oh, man, I’m sorry about bed rest, but I’m glad that you have a good enforcer and two adorable pups to keep you company. Hoping rest will be exactly what Baby T needs before its big entrance to the world!
grapefruit / 4582 posts
So sorry about bed rest! But that set-up looks so comfortable & awesome! My whole first trimester was like bed rest. I was too dizzy and nauseous to do anything so DH took over all of my chores too. Gotta love our good men
coconut / 8279 posts
oh no!
girl, I feel your pain. bed rest is no fun at all. I was on bed rest from 37 weeks (when I joined HB!) to (induced) delivery at 40 weeks.
If you’re a planner, use this time to organize your mailing list for the birth announcements, pinterest and google photo/outfit ideas, browse card templates, etc.
If friends offer to bring food, magazines, etc., take them up on their offer! I had friends from work bring me lunch and just to have someone to chat with was wonderful.
I watched a lot of bad TV, like Kathi Lee & Hoda.
And I online shopped… a LOT. haha
It’s not easy but definitely worth it, I promise!
good luck! xo
pomegranate / 3716 posts
Oh wow, sorry to hear about the bedrest! I totally can’t imagine being banned from pretty much all activity for weeks!
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
Hahah bring it!

Sorry to hear you’re on bed rest! Hope you can enjoy it though.. Life will be cuhrazzzzy once the baby arrives and you’ll miss the days of rest and being served
Eat well and take care of yourself and baby!
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
So sorry about the bedrest, but wow, what a comfy looking setup, and it looks/sounds like you have some really amazing dogs AND hubby. Try to enjoy and take advantage of the rest that has been forced upon you (hehe) and I’ll see you on the BOARDS!!!
pomelo / 5178 posts
Ugh, how lame.
I was on a modified bed rest schedule at 30-ish weeks (what my docotr called “part-time bed rest”). I had to be lying down (preferrably on my left side) for 12 hours a day, and then take it easy (lots of sitting and rest) the other 12 hours a day. Which is pretty hard when you’re working full-time and have a toddler to chase around. Luckily, it didn’t last too long, since DS was born at 39 weeks!
Hmmmm, are you all caught up on your favorite shows? I mostly did schoolwork while I was confined to bed, but Netflix seems like it would be a lifesaver! That and online shopping, of course.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
I’m sorry you’re on bedrest!
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
Sorry to hear you’re on bedrest, but looks like you’ve figured it all out on how to enjoy – look at that bed setup and pups! Yay for awesome hubby’s who are great enforcers and picking things up where you left off.
blogger / nectarine / 2687 posts
Isn’t it funny how hard it is to rest when we’re told we have to?? Hang in there! If I were you, I’d just sit and watch seasons 1 & 2 of Downton abbey over and over again…;)
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
I feel your pain!! I was go on bedrest at 38 weeks. My husband would pack a cooler full of snacks and lunch each morning before he went to work. He was so good to me
I spent a lot of time on my computer, reading birthing books, calling friends, writing thank you notes from my shower and watching TV
good luck!! You’re almost there
pomegranate / 3983 posts
I had this exact same diagnosis at the same point in my last pregnancy. If you want more details, I’d be happy to share, but definitely stay away from Dr. Google.
clementine / 750 posts
I spent a week on bedrest earlier in my pg. My lifesaver was a wheeled laptop cart to hold my laptop off of me but over the couch. Also very useful were memory foam neck roll billows from Bed Bath & Beyond.
coffee bean / 27 posts
Oh man! I’m on bed rest too- only 22 weeks along here so I’m hoping it’s not for the remainder of the pregnancy. It’s so boring! I’m actually organizing photos I’ve been wanting to preserve and I’m making a blurb book of our travels, my son’s first year, etc. It takes up a lot of time, and I’ll look at the clock and wonder where my day went! Hope things improve for you!
blogger / pear / 1964 posts
@Baby Boy Mom: Yes, please, as long as your info is reassuring…
blogger / pear / 1964 posts
@mamachamp: I think I might have poked my eyeballs out by now if I’d been doing this since week 22! I hope you’re hanging I there – some kind of book sounds like a great idea.
blogger / pear / 1964 posts
Thanks, everyone, for all the positive encouragement!
pomelo / 5331 posts
Argh, this is my worst nightmare too for all your same reasons! Good luck to you, it sounds like it’s for good reason and you will be back on your feet in no time
olive / 63 posts
I wasn’t forced on bed rest but the last three weeks I was off work and waiting for baby I pretty much sat on the couch. All. Day. I had everything I could think of ready and I felt like I didn’t want to start any projects cuz any day could be THE day. I wish I had slept more-I had insomnia and when I did sleep I would wake up at 4! Enjoy the rest-I miss it!
bananas / 9973 posts
Sorry to hear you’re on bedrest. Hopefully you can grow that baby!
From all the advice I hear, enjoy the rest and sleeping while you can. (I know I get sick of hearing this too…)
At least you have some adorable furbabies to keep you company.
clementine / 828 posts
Sorry to hear that you’re on bed rest. I was on strict bed rest for 13 weeks (must be lying down, only allowed up for bathroom breaks, and microwaving food). It sucks but it helps to think that you’re doing it for the good of your baby.
I watched a lot of television, caught up with friends, researched and purchased a ton of baby stuff online, and scheduled nap time every afternoon. I miss those days where I could nap for as long as I wanted.
Hang in there! You can do this!