How to Help a Friend on Bedrest

Bedrest. Ugh. For those of you who have experienced this during pregnancy know that it’s not all about sitting on the couch with your feet propped up eating Bon Bons and watching soap operas. Having experienced bed rest for two out of my three pregnancies, I know first hand how hard bed rest is but also just how isolating it can be as well.

I’ve compiled a list of things that truly helped me during those rough weeks and months. The kindness of my family and friends made it a bit easier and people are happy to help out.

bedrestWays to help out your friend on bed rest ::

Food

Food is always appreciated. Send her gift cards to her favorite places or even Waitr and Uber Eats!

If your friend is on hospital bed rest, don’t forget about her family. Start a meal train for the family that is at home. Put a cooler outside where meals can be dropped off.

And don’t forget snacks, things that she can munch on while laying down. A nice gift basket full of her favorite snacks (think granola bars, protein drinks, nuts, etc.) would make it easier for her throughout the day. Stock up her fridge full of her favorite drinks

A subscription streaming service

One of the things I surely did on bed rest was binge popular shows. I would watch a complete series from start to finish. I definitely wore out our Netflix subscription! A gift of a subscription to Hulu, Netflix or Amazon Prime would be much appreciated.

Books, magazines and crossword puzzles

As much as I’m a TV junkie, sometimes I needed a break. I really liked to pass the time by doing crossword puzzles and reading magazines. Stock up on some books, magazines and puzzles. Grown up coloring books with nice color pencils and pens is also another great idea.

Robe, socks and slippers

I spent most of my days in leggings and t-shirts. I always had a robe nearby that I could throw over myself if I had a visitor.  For the momma on hospital bed rest, a comfy robe and slippers would be a perfect gift.

Extra long phone charger cord

Just trust me on this one! A pregnant mom always needs a full charge on her phone.

Portable fan

Hot? Just switch on that hand held fan and get a cool blast of air. When you can’t get up to change the AC, this is the perfect solution.

Blankets and pillows

Splurge on a luxe throw blanket; she will get more use out of this than anything!

Spruce up her space

For those moms in the hospital, decorate her room a bit! Picture frames, banners and fake flowers would make her place feel a bit more like home.

Celebrate milestones

Every week I stayed on bed rest was a victory. So celebrate those milestones with your friend; it’s an accomplishment. Keep that baby cooking.

Visits

Nothing is more welcome than a friend showing up to just chit chat! Just don’t show up unannounced. Set up a time to visit and bring Mom her favorite dessert or coffee.

So step it up and help out your family member or friends, she deserves it!

Mary Olivio
Mary is a caffeine addicted boy mom to Noah, Liam and Luke. This “stay at home” mom can typically been found cruising in her minivan, jamming to Beyonce with a Starbucks in hand on her way to carpool or after school activities. Mary has been married to her high school sweetheart since 2007. She is a founder of Delivering Hope NOLA and the Vanessa Wolff Scholarship Fund at her Alma Mater. Mary is passionate in the local preemie community and has been heavily involved with the March of Dimes since her sons Liam and Luke were born premature.

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