Making the "best" of bed rest

Your health care provider has prescribed bed rest due to complications of your pregnancy. For the first few hours, that seems wonderful. You have permission to rest, to languish in bed for hours. Your family is waiting on you hand and foot. Then reality sets in.

You can't go to work, weed your garden, or shop for groceries. You can't even walk around the block. How are you going to make the best of the situation? First, start by focusing on the fact that you're doing what's best for you and your baby. Your health care provider wouldn't have suggested bed rest otherwise.

The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy offers tips to help make bed rest tolerable:

Set up your bedroom so everything necessary is within reach of the bed.

Take up a hobby. Finish that scrapbook or knitting that blanket you started months ago.

Catch up on writing emails or calling friends and family.

Learn relaxation or visualization techniques. They'll help not only during the bed rest but also during labor.

Prepare a list of tasks so that when friends and family call to offer help, you can give them something specific to do for you and your family.

Learn about newborn care-how to bathe, dress, breastfeed, handle, and soothe your baby.

Plan for your baby's arrival. Make to-do lists, shop online or by phone for last-minute items.

Before and during your bed rest, work closely with your health care provider to understand exactly what your restrictions are. Ask specific questions and follow the instructions provided.

The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy is available by calling 877-647-6397 (code 920) or online. The book is also available in most local bookstores. Revenue from the sale of this book helps support Mayo Clinic's medical research and education programs.

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