Childbirth classes for bed rest mamas

[hotchpot]

I'm going into week 5 of bed rest for a short cervix--which had thankfully lengthened back to normal at my last visit. Still, my doctors forsee another 10 or so weeks of bed rest before me just to make sure it doesn't go down again. Basically, they think I'm going to be stuck in bed until delivery.

I'm keeping my spirits up (though I did sob today

Comments

[kthartline]

I guess first thing I would do is call the hospital you plan on giving birth at and see if they have anything that they do for bed-ridden mamas. Can they send you the material they would cover in the class you would like to take? Can they recommend someone/somewhere you can either have come to your class or a web-based class you can take? If they don't have any information, I'd ask your doctor second. You can't possibly be the first mama on bed rest for either place! KWIM? It's worth a shot to exhaust those two options before going outside your local area. I'm sure you can find some descent videos online if neither of them have any advice.

Good luck!

[hotchpot]

That's a great idea about calling the hospital; I'll see if I can't find the proper department to call for that and ask.

I did ask my doctor about other resources...she was adamant that it was fine for me to break bed rest go to the class. But when I asked my perinatologist he was like, "Are you kidding? NO." (It's a six-hour, all-day class). And told me to ask my doctor for childbirth video recommendations, so I was right back where I started. Of course. :P

[kthartline]

Call them and ask to speak to the nurse or whomever is the coordinator of the childbirth classes. They should be able to direct you from there.

[runningnekkid]

Thank you for posting this! We're at 32 weeks now and have moved to more light duty than bed rest, but I can't get into any of the classes because they're all full!

I've been doing a lot of research online and trying to help my husband feel prepared. He keeps insisting on a class, and I keep insisting right back that yes, it's a fantastic idea, but not really feasible in our situation.

And I'll be interested in seeing if there is a bedrest comm out there.

[hotchpot]

32 weeks! You're almost there!! Yay!

And yes, I have pined for a bed rest comm as comprehensive as this community is. At the very least, it would be nice to have some new ideas for how to pass the time. I feel like I've hit the end of the internet at least a dozen times.

[hmaners]

its funny that you posted this as im about to post something in the pregnancy group. okay not exactly about this, and rather a little off topic, but i hope its okay to still ask you. how were you diagnosed with a short cervix? i did a self exam one night in the shower and my cervix felt high, soft, and rather puffy. it also felt like i could put a finger in it. i told my doctor about it and he offered a vaginal ultrasound to check, but that was after he told me that my chance of having cervical problems was very low and made me feel like i was just being uber paranoid. im not sure why i turned him down on the offer, i think its because he made it seem that i have nothing to worry about, but still...i worry! i like my doctor so i dont want to change, but maybe i should have just let him do it even if he thought i was being crazy? i havent had any "symptoms" so to speak of cervical issues, but im a worry wart by nature and for some reason am so paranoid about this. any way, sorry to not be of help to your question but hope you

[hotchpot]

The only way you can really find out if you have a short cervix (I think) is by transvaginal ultrasound. My doc noticed it at my anatomy scan and then sent me in for a transvag. And usually there aren't any symptoms--you wouldn't be able to feel your cervix opening or anything like that.

The high, soft and puffy cervix sounds normal. In pregnancy it rises and gets engorged with blood so it would feel puffy. You probably couldn't put a finger in it--I know that mine even when I'm not pregnant has a little dimple in the center even when closed. I would bet $10 that's what you were feeling.

But if you are worried, don't touch it! That could irritate it, I guess? And make some time to put your feet up every day and drink plenty of water. Your doc sounds like he could use a nicer bedside manner but he's right: the chances of something being wrong are really slim.

[hmaners]

thank you so so so much for this! my gut tells me that everything is okay but yeah, i just worry about everything. i have my anatomy scan at 22 weeks so i will bring it up then like "and just to ease a paranoia, is everything okay with my cervix?" and hopefully the tech will be nicer about it than my doctor. i like my doctor, i really do, but sometimes I think he just cant deal with a highly anxious person like me. and then i feel guilty :( oh well, thanks to you and this community I get to ask away here :) good luck with the remainder of your pregnancy, i will be tracking your progress and sending you all my positive energy for a healthy, happy baby!

[hotchpot]

No problem, this community saved me in my first trimester. I was a nervous wreck about something going wrong. Thanks for the well wishes, and to you and baby, too! Keep us updated. :)

[athinker]

I know of a few doulas that do childbirth classes in a small setting, maybe look around and see if anyone like that is available around you?

[geminigirl]

There's a video series that I've heard mentioned before-something like Laugh and Learn about Childbirth. I know some people have used and liked it.

I know one of the hospitals around here does some programs for bed rest mothers, and that's another option.

And you might call local doulas or childbirth educators to see if they can help you out-if you've got a particular method (Bradley, Birthing from Within, Hypnobirthing, etc) in mind, see what the local teachers can do.

[hotchpot]

Oh, I saw the Laugh and Learn series and I wondered about it. Nice to know some people liked it. Thanks!