Hey there mommies – I was hoping for some advice. I happen to have two friends who are pregnant, both of whom are on bedrest due to hypertension issues. One is a mommy of a 2-year old girl and has a planned C-section next week; the other is a first-time mommy whose complications have landed her in the hospital two months early. I would love to do something for each of them, but I don’t know what to do. Any suggestions?
D.:
you have received some great suggestions!
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P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com
Great suggestions - I'll just add that depending on hosp rules, etc, a manicure, pedicure and even a hair stylist to come and visit (esp before weekend guests arrive) were gifts I have been able to give that had lots of positive feedback.
I think company would be one of the greatest things you could give, especially for the woman in the hospital.
Find out what her favorite magazines and authors (books) are and bring her a few. You could also get Sudoku, crossword, or word search books.
Pay a visit with a group of friends, bringing cards or games to play. Get a hot game of poker, Boggle, Scrabble, or Taboo going (yeah I know, my game choices are a bit nerdy!) because that could easily help kill a few hours of time as well as bring a lot of laughs.
Do they knit, crochet, or scrapbook? Stop by Michael's and put together a care package so they can work on projects bedside.
Do they have a favorite fast food/take out/dessert item they've been craving but haven't had because they can't get out? I would have killed for a Chipotle burrito while in the hospital!
The smallest gestures can mean so much. Just knowing that someone cares is so great.
I was on bedrest starting at 24 weeks.... the greatest thing was/would have been...
1. Phone calls! :)
2. Visits if you can!
3. Care package - maybe membership to netflix if they don't have one already, some magazines, a good book, book of puzzles, hand-held games (sell cheapy ones at Kohl's/etc).
4. Phone calls... did I mention that? :)
5. Maybe gather the group and bring over lunch/dinner
6. Help in any way that they can. It is so important to take it seriously. And it is very difficult to be on bedrest.
7. Maybe gather the couples over for a game night so husband can partipate too... as it's hard for him too.
Wish them well!
When I was on bedrest I think the nicest thing was just when people would come visit me. You feel so cut off from the world and tend to get down. Personally, I was so nervous about my issues that I couldn't concentrate well enough to read anything, I watched TV and took up knitting. If there is something like that that your friend is interested in doing, bringing her some information on it or supplies or something is very thoughtful too. Also maybe doing a little housework for her (since I am sure there is lots she wants to do but can't). Or having some nice food in the fridge that is premade (since when you are on bedrest you are only supposed to be up long enough to essentially put together a sandwich)is always nice too.
The suggestions the other ladies posted were great! I would agree with them. You could also help out by delivering a meal to their home. There is that dinner by design place that you can pick up frozen meals or make one to give to the family or just pick up salads from Panera with a nice loaf of bread.. or any sort of meal you enjoy making or picking up. I'm sure she is concerned about her husband/child too at dinner time and can't really get up and make dinner and things like that. And I'm sure her family would enjoy a nice dinner too.
that is so nice of you to want to do something nice. I'm sure anything you decide will be greatly appreciated!
I was on bedrest with both my pregnancies. It can be so hard to lay there and do nothing.
the things that uplifted me and helped pass the time were crafts (crochet, knitting) reading, journaling, watching movies, and word puzzle books, so I would think nice gifts would be yarn if she is into crafting, or a small craft she can do in bed like maybe stringing beads for jewelry?
or books, or video rental giftcards.
give her a makeup kit and proomise to come by and give her a makeover one day. when you lay in bed all day you'd be surprised how hard it is to bother to brush your hair. having someone come and cheer you up that way (or maybe something silly like paint her toenails if you are close enough to suggest that hahah!)
hope these ideas help!
C.
Since I was put on bedrest recently, I can relate to your friends a little. For your friend with the two year old, what does she do with her little one during the day? If your up for it, offer to help out with childcare if your able. Also, I'm sure, they would both just love some company!!! Offer to pick up some movies or board games and bring over some snacks and have a mellow girls' night. I have spend to much time watching trashy tv that I know I would LOVE a visit from my friends! Good luck to both of your friends and best wishes for the safe arrival of their new little ones!!
I was on bedrest for a good portion of both my pregnancies. COMPANY!! I would have loved a little company. Other things:- a babysitter to run after the other little one, A cleaning service to break the temptation of just getting up and doing it. Scrapbooking supplies-to get a head start. A netflix subscription. Magazines.
Just a few of the things I got or wished I had gotten.
