Tips for Surviving Bed Rest

Tips for Surviving Bed Rest
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make your bed rest enjoyable without becoming addicted to daytime TV. Try these tips:

Stick to a schedule. Even if you have to stay in bed all day, you'll feel better if you take care of yourself. After you wake up, change into comfortable clothes and plan what to do for the day. Having a plan will make you feel as if you're accomplishing something and will give you something to look forward to.

Catch up while you can. Let's face it, after the baby arrives, you'll be too busy to think about catching up on correspondence or reading your favorite author's latest novel. Try these time passers:

choose a doctor for your child, find quality child care, or write up a birth plan (if you haven't already done these things)
start a journal chronicling your pregnancy - and your bed rest
start a family tree that you can share with your child someday
firm up your baby-name choices; use books and websites for ideas
organize photo albums
read anything - newspapers, magazines, classic novels, the latest bestsellers, compilations of fiction or poetry; you could even revisit some of your favorite childhood stories or try out some books from the library for your little one
watch rented videos/DVDs or taped TV shows
answer letters or correspondence
write thank-you cards if you've already had a baby shower; if not, start addressing the envelopes to people (friends and family) whom you know will probably give gifts
build an email and phone list of people to call when the baby comes, if you haven't already done so
start a calendar of important dates to remember (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.)
contact your job about your maternity-leave benefits
fill out health insurance paperwork for your baby in advance
designate a guardian for your child and have your lawyer draft a new will