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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Hospital stay before birth

5 replies

hoppyfarmer · 06/11/2018 16:22

Hi ladies,
Due to a chequered history of trying to have sprogs I'm being admitted to hospital for the last 16 days of my pregnancy before caesarean date. Any tips for passing the time? I will be getting showered and dressed every day like normal and not bed bound. Hopefully I'll be allowed to wander to the cafe with visitors too. Thinking more of things to do/read etc whilst I'm clock watching. My 4 year old and husband will be in from time to time as well as family and friends but there's bound to be times when I feel a bit blue about being in there. At least it's only 16 days not 16 weeks!
Thanks x

OP posts:
louise987 · 07/11/2018 10:33

If you have lists of books you've always wanted to read or films you wanted to watch do it now!

Books, box sets, naps, knitting (they do some good sets for beginners in the shops if you haven't done it before - you'll have the time!), puzzle books, sorting out photos on laptop, holiday planning, life planning (1, 5, 10 year plans)...

Some ideas at least!

Duskybluebell · 07/11/2018 18:57

Take your own blanket/ duvet/pillow in cheerful.non-hospital colours to make your bed less institutional. In addition to getting up and dressed every morning make bed and ensure staff sort new sheets every few days!

If in a shared bay keep curtains open around bed in day time and try to pass time with other mums to be unless they really wind you up in which case earplugs and sleep mask all the way. Actually take those anyway.

Adult colouring books are quite popular. We had one patient finished her PhD thesis on a laptop the day before her lscs! Crochet/knitting/cross stitch (can always learn how from you tube if like me you're not crafty).

Take a walk around whatever areas you are able to access. If ok to leave ward area try to go outside daily, people watch, find a bench and sit in sun ( if there is any). Our hospital has a patient garden that almost no one knows about.

Set up online groceries for next few weeks, go through diaries and family calendars make sure up to date with any school/nursery news for eldest dc. Xmas/birthday present shopping (just remember you've done it already and don't double up).

Books, netflix, audio books (if you use a public library check out free Overdrive app and read/listen to stuff you wouldn't normally consider).we

I knew one long stay patient who threw a baby shower (partner brought in batch of cupcakes, she put a little card on each bed as an invite, not sure what else they did but lots of laughter came out of the bay).

user1493413286 · 07/11/2018 19:02

I was in hospital for a lot of my pregnancy and I developed a bit of a routine based around meal times and visits along the lines of breakfast, shower and dress, walk around hospital, watch tv/read a book/do sudoku, lunch then another walk round, sometimes a nap due to waking in the night with noise and then dinner and see visitors.
It was boring but I took the chance to watch boxsets and read books mainly.
I had plenty of snacks and my own comforts like blanket, dressing gown, slippers etc

keeponrunning85 · 07/11/2018 19:26

I used to go for a walk around the hospital site at least 3 times a day, sat outside (I was in in August) got as many people to visit me as possible, did puzzles, read books/magazines, chatted to the other ladies and midwives, had longer than usual showers and watched a bit of TV. I found spending time off the ward and in the day room rather than always sitting on or by my bed helped.

And I ate a lot of toast! As there were unlimited supplies!

I was surprised by how quickly the days used to pass by really.

hoppyfarmer · 07/11/2018 19:29

Thank you all. Some good ideas there. I'm not likely to be chained to the bed so hoping I'll be allowed to wander. Just in as a precaution as I had a stillbirth at 37 weeks and have also had ruptured uterus during my labour with him so am just going to stay in the best place for a couple of weeks before c section. Consultant said likely to be a waste of my time but why risk it. I quite agree. X

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