What does bedrest mean...?

My doctor put me on 'modified" bedrest at 24 weeks until 34 weeks with this pregnancy because my first was born at 31 weeks and I kept going into labor from 28 weeks. I'm not allowed to do laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, etc. but I am allowed to get up to go to the bathroom, take a shower, sit on the couch or at the kitchen table to eat, drive to my doctor's appointments twice a week and bring my son to and from the bus stop down the block. I was even allowed to rent a wheel chair to go to his soccer games once a week. I would definately ask your midwife, like you're going to, but since you're having contractions already and are on medication, I have a feeling she would say no, and to stay around the area just in case. I'm not allowed to go further than a half hour away from my house in case anything happens, and you'd probably have the same restrictions. It's disappointing and it's so hard to not get in the car and go somewhere, but it's worth it in the end. Good luck to you and congratulations.

I don't think you shouldn't be going anywhere other than to the bathroom and back to bed if you are taking meds to stop your contractions. It's ok to sit up, but not in a car for the purpose of traveling anywhere other than to the doctor's office. Just about any activity - including going on a car trip for even the most benign of visits - is a stress on your body and can irritate a uterus into contracting.

This is serious stuff. Your baby isn't anywhere near ready to be born. Please don't risk it. I am sure your midwife will probably tell you the close to the same thing when you call her.

If you are on bedrest -particularly because of pregnancy it means you should always be in bed, not in a wheelchair, not in a car. I strongly urge you to cancel that car trip unless it's something unavoidable like seeing a dying relative before they go, or visiting your really sick child in hospital. Other than that I can think of no occasion where you should risk losing your baby to get out of bed. Being in a car is stressful no matter how luxurious the ride. Stay in bed-play it safe-please!! btw you can of course get up to use the bathroom. You don't need to use a bedpan. But then go straight back to bed. Ask your doctor or midwife if you can sit up and play on a laptop, talk on the phone etc when you're bored-I think that should be okay. Get lots of books and magazines or a xbox or gamecube to entertain yourself :-) Good luck!!

That was a very important thing to ask. You need to call your doctor to clarify. Partial bedrest is different for different people. I was on temporary bedrest at 32 weeks for falling down some stairs and contractions/bleeding, but am 34 weeks and off now..just supposed to restrict my activity. No heavy lifting, long walks, strenuous activity, binge cleaning, etc. Basically just take it easy. That could be what you are supposed to be doing, but maybe not. Again, check with your doctor to see what he/she has in mind.

Bed rest means just that-bed rest, if it was "chair duty"' you'd be told that. Bedrest is serious and should be taken as such. I was on light duty from 12 weeks until 20 weeks, meant basically I could walk abit but no heavy lifting, vaccuming and laundry. I took it easier than doc prescribed because I had lost a son 8 months prior to getting pregnant. So I was extremely nervous. Finally at 20 weeks I was told bedrest and aside from toilet and doc visits, I was confined to the bed until 35 weeks. Altho I did get up and do showers, but very quick ones.

Please heed the warning, bedrest means BEDREST!! Good Luck.

There are many kinds of bedrest depending on the reason. Riding in a car is NOT bedrest. Please aske your midwife or Dr for clarification. Complete bedrest usually means only getting up to go to the bathroom and remaining in a position no higher than semi-reclining. In a modified bedrest your caregiver will allow other positions or activities based on your individual needs. Until you know for sure, go with complete bedrest.

i was put on bedrest at 28 weeks which meant i could not do anything. i was having contractions and they continued through the pregnancy (now 37+ weeks) i would say you will probably be better off cancelling the trip. i have been in and out of the hospital even with the meds to stop contractions. i was told the meds will not stop you from going into to full blown labor also (from my dr and the nurses on the ob floor) so would be very careful.

There are many different levels of bedrest. No matter what, bedrest does mean resting, not going on long car rides and on vacations. It is up to your doctor in the end, but is it really worth risking your baby over a vacation?

bedrest really means you should stay in bed or on the couch.. i was on bedrest with my son and i went out in a wheelchair my ob had given me the okay as long as i stay off my feet. i had stayed off my feet the whole time just like he said and the next day was having contractions all day long and was in the hospital that night to get them stopped. they almost put me on the pill to stop contractions since i was in 1 or 2 times a week from 30 weeks to 35 weeks.

Well, your condition sounds pretty serious. Bedrest is the doctors not wanting you to do to much walking and not to much of anything. I would not go on this trip you are trying to do to much. Do what the doctor is telling you to do, it's for a reason. Again ask your Midwife....