Bed Rest with a Toddler

Updated on October 16, 2010
M.B. asks from Springfield, GA
5 answers

I'll be 32 weeks pregnant on Saturday. I was sent to the hospital for preterm labor. They gave me a prescription to stop the contractions. I have an appointment tomorrow with my Dr and I assume I'll find out if I'll be put on bed rest for the rest of my pregnancy. My question is how is that possible with a toddler? My daughter will be 2 next month and is quite a handful. My husband works out of state during the week but I do have the help of my mother. Have any of you moms gone through this with a toddler? I want to do what I'm supposed to for the baby but it seems impossible. Please help!

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C.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Do you belong to a church or a synague? Many times people are wiling to help out in these type of situations. If not then call a middle school or a local high school. A middle school student could be a mothers helper. That means you can't leave the house. I would not let her carry your daugher on the stairs or fed her unless she took a first aid class. You could get a break if she played with her and read her some books. A high school student is going to be more money but will be more experienced. Or join a local moms club and see if they can assited you in some way. Or see if there is a senior citizen apartments close by. Many seniors have lots of time on their hands maybe some sweet old lady could help you once a week for a couple of hrs.
Also I would get a big plastic container they sell them at Walmart in the storage area. Fill it with stuff for your daughter when she is having quiet time with you in your room. She will only have access to the special box when she is being quiet in your room. Coloring books, crayons, aqua doodle board, a doll, pillow pal,
I would join freecycle for your area to get some free toys to put in the box. Freecylcle is a world wide group. Its to give and receive instead of unwanted items going into a landfill.Good luck.

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S.W.

answers from Boca Raton on

Get in bed with your toddler and read a book or two. Explain that you are tired and it is nap time. Let her feel your tummy and talk to the new baby.
God Bless and no stress....

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K.M.

answers from Tampa on

How is your calcium/Magnesuim intake? My sister started early contractions, and we got her one of those instant powdered cal/mag from the health food store- you add hot water, and she'd let it cool, and add a little juice. The contractions stopped. She was just missing those minerals, and with enough calcium the smooth muscles of the uterus won't unnecessarily contract.
best, k

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J.S.

answers from Detroit on

You just explained my experience with my second pregnancy. My dd is 12 weeks old and was born at 36 in a half weeks after 5 weeks of bedrest. iI jave a very active 2 year old and it was extremely HOT this summer. As others mentioned, we stayed inside (he is a runner outside) and watched videos. When he wanted to be held I would sit down and he would climb up on my lap. Yhe hardest was nap time when I was alone and I had to lift him in the crib. That was the only time I would lift him. I didn't lift anything but him and only when I was alone. Otherwise someone wod pick him up for me. I didn't lift laundry baskets and limited the amount I did stairs. Your mom wll be very helpful. And it will be special time with grandma. Goodluck and don't worry things will work out...

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M.M.

answers from Tampa on

I was put on bedrest and had a 2 yo toddler also. I had no outside help and my husband was only able to help once he was home from work. It was not easy but it is possible. The one thing you have to remember is that this will only be for a short period of time. That being said, we watched a lot of t.v. and played a lot of games on the floor. I did have to talk to my son (also newly 2) and explain that he can't bounce around on mommy's tummy, etc. and so on. He, amazingly enough, understood. When DH was home, he did a lot of the "heavy" playing with DS. It's not the most ideal of circumstances, but you will get through it. The main thing is that you stay strict to your bedrest requirements and get this new baby out happy and healthy. 2 months of less than ideal living circumstances will not affect your daughter adversely in any way. Good luck to you and best wishes!

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