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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffDiscovering that you have a potentially serious pregnancy complication can be frightening. If you're diagnosed with preeclampsia late in your pregnancy, you may be surprised and scared to know that you'll be induced right away. If you're diagnosed earlier in your pregnancy, you may have many hours of bed rest to worry about your baby's health.
It may help to learn as much as you can about your condition. In addition to talking to your doctor, do some research. On the other hand, if reading about preeclampsia and its possible complications only makes you more nervous and worried, find a distraction. Make sure you understand when to call your doctor, and then find something else to occupy your time.
Coping with bed rest
For the first few hours, bed rest may seem wonderful. But the reality of life in bed — waiting and worrying — is often not so wonderful. You may feel frustrated by the forced lack of activity, especially if you haven't had time to finish preparations for your baby's arrival.
To make bed rest tolerable, consider these tips:
- Make sure you understand the ground rules. Ask your doctor for specifics. What position should you use while lying down? Can you sit up at times? If so, for how long? Are you allowed any other type of physical activity?
- Prepare your resting room. Whether you choose to spend your time in your bedroom or a more central spot in your home, make sure everything you need is within reach.
- Organize your day. The hours will pass more quickly if you have some sort of routine. Schedule specific times to phone the office, watch television and read. It may help to stick to some parts of your normal schedule, such as lunchtime and lights out.
- Keep busy. Use your time to balance the checkbook, organize your photo albums or catch up on phone calls. Shop for baby supplies, either online or from catalogs. Take up a new hobby, such as knitting. Or learn relaxation and visualization techniques. They'll help not only during bed rest but also during labor and delivery.
Make the best of the situation by focusing on the fact that you're doing what's best for you and your baby.
- Pregnancy. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/issues/preg/preg.htm. Accessed March 3, 2009.
- Conde-Agudelo A, et al. Maternal infection and risk of preeclampsia: Systematic review and metaanalysis. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2008;198:7.
- Bodnar LM, et al. Maternal vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of preeclampsia. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2007;92:3517.
- High blood pressure during pregnancy. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/printableArticles/188_1054.asp. Accessed Feb. 11, 2009.
- Norwitz ER, et al. Management of preeclampsia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 2, 2009.
- Leanos-Miranda A, et al. Urinary prolactin as a reliable marker for preeclampsia, its severity, and the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology Metabolism. 2008;93:2492.
- Fact sheets: High blood pressure during pregnancy. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/printableArticles/14332_1222.asp. Accessed Feb. 11, 2009.
- August P, et al. Clinical features, diagnosis and prognosis of preeclampsia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 2, 2009.
- Barton JR, et al. Prediction and prevention of recurrent preeclampsia. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2008;112:359.
- Bellamy L, et al. Pre-eclampsia and risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer in later life: Systematic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal. 2007;335:974.
- Facchinetti F, et al. Migraine is a risk factor for hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: a prospective cohort study. Cephalgia: An International Journal of Headache. 2009;29:286.
