My poor friend has been stuck in bed since her 19th week - how to help her?

[bran]

My friend has been told to have complete bed-rest for the rest of her pregnancy, she's now 23 weeks and has been in bed for 4 weeks already. This happened during her last pregnancy too, but at least for that one she had friends around her, unfortunately she just moved to a new city (in Germany) 3 months ago and doesn't know anyone at all. What can I do/send her to cheer her up or make her life easier?

So far I have arranged to go and spend a week with her in January, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she won't go into labour before that. I've send her some DVD's and books (greater love hath no woman than to give away her unwatched Northern Exposure DVD), and I obviously phone her regularly, but I feel a bit helpless that I can't be of more practical help to her.

bump

i was going to suggest books/dvds.

does she like puzzles?

Sounds like you are already helping by senduing her things. How about sending her something new each week - something small - like a magazine or a puzzle book, maybe a small cross stitch or crafty task to do? And as well as a phone call, what about a short letter to read in bed.

Giving her manicures and pedicures when you go there. It was one of the sweetest things me friend has done when I was in hospital.

What city is she in?
I'm near Stuttgart.

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll definitely bring a manicure kit with me when I go, thanks Cadbury. A friend in rl suggested that I get her one of those pregnancy pillows as she's finding that lying down all the time is giving her back ache, at least she would be able to lie in different positions.

Berolina, she's in Cologne (Koln), so she's a fair distance from Stuttgart.

Does she have a laptop that she can use while in bed? Well there is surely no greater gift than MUMSNET!!!

CD. She does have a laptop, but I think that she's not even supposed to sit-up in bed so she finds it difficult to use it for any length of time. And, I'm not sure, but I think if she has recently moved in she might only have a dial-up connection.

I had to give up work whilst pregnant with dd,although I wasn't on bedrest,I was pretty much stuck in on my own all day.

I made a patchwork quilt for dd & I have to say it really helped pass the time.Plus as I had had 2 threatened m/c whilst pregnant with her,to be making something that she could use helped me feel more positive that she'd be born fit & well.

You sound a very good friend