Nearly 70 percent of all moms of twins find themselves on bed rest at some point during their pregnancies. The traditional thinking of medical professionals has been to order any moms who experience pregnancy complications on bed rest in order to get the pressure off their cervix, giving their babies a better chance at staying in the womb longer. But this approach has become a hot debate among many physicians, since there is no hardcore statistical evidence that it works. Regardless of whether you believe it or not, it is always best to follow your doctor’s orders and if bed rest is on the menu for you, do it.
If you should find yourself on bed rest, here are some tips to keep you sane and entertained!—
Keep a journal. Begin writing a story to your children! You can include memories of your own childhood, your partner, and the childhood you hope your twins will have. This will become a prized family heirloom.
Bond with your babies. This is a time you can read to them, sing songs to them, and tell them stories….and they won’t interrupt you!
Find a doctor for your babies. Start interviewing pediatricians over the telephone and do your homework online to find the ones that are the closest to you and the best fit r familyfor you. A great place to start this research is in the forums of the Manhattan Twins Club.
Spend time with good friends. Call all your friends you haven’t seen in a while and see if they can drop by with dinner. Make a night out of it. Rent a classic John Hughes movie and laugh the night away.
Prepare for your announcement. This is a great time to find a design you love for your twins birth announcement. Tiny Prints and Stork Avenue are great places to get some ideas.
Shop online. The internet is the bed-bound mom-to-be’s favorite tool! Start shopping for a stroller and all the other accessories you’ll need. Try finding their first holiday outfit at specialty websites for multiples like justformultiples.com, stuff4multiples.com, and twinsandmorestore.com.
Learn to knit. By the time your babies come home from the hospital, you may be able to bring them home in blankets you made them. For some inspiration, check out this site.
Get a jump start on your thank you cards. If you had a baby shower, you can write nice personalized notes to all the folks who came, or you can even write a poem that describes your experience and excitement.
Enjoy the silence! You won’t hear much of it after your twinnies get home.
Look for support. Visit Sidelines, a nonprofit organization designed with your particular situation in mind!%uFFFD
And check out Twiniversity and the Manhattan Twins Club for forums
events and even where you can be matched up with a twin mommy mentor in your area.
Most importantly, set a goal for each day. It could be write one entry in my journal, or finish eight thank you cards. Give yourself a to-do list.%uFFFD
If you are on bed rest for six days or six months, remember to keep your
eyes on the prize. Each day you rest watching Maury brings you one day
closer to healthy happy twinnies!
Good luck and I’m sure you’ll do fine!
