How do you manage to rest with a toddler in the house?!

[littlelamb]

I ended up in hospital yesterday for monitoring as I just feel so unwell My blood pressure seems fine after a high reading last week but there is still protein and white blood cells in my urine, but they won't give me anything for it. My blood tests all came back fine. So there is no medical reason I feel so crap, but I just do! I feel faint all the time and my limbs feel incredible heavy- I feel just like I did when I had glandular fever,with absolutely no energy. ALso, now baby has started to engage my pelvis is incredibly painful and I can't really walk anywhere (I don't drive). They told me to basically take it easy for the next 5 weeks, which would be fine, except I have 3 year old dd at home with me! Today has not been too bad as we have had to wait in for a shopping delivery and have made bread, but we are used to getting out and about every day, but the feeling I had on Saturday of being about to faint when we were out was scary and I don't feel up to actually going anywhere. I don;t have any family nearby who can take her out for the day, and I just worry that the upheaval of a new baby will be hard enough for her without me becoming a bore beforehand! Any advice on how I can get more rest or make myself feel better? Or suggestions of things we can do at home that don't involve video after video?

My heart goes out to you - I was feeling really terrible towards the end of my pregnancy with my youngest (now 4) and my older child (although a much bigger age gap) was still around and needed me as much as ever. I remember just wishing the days away!
Anyway, firstly, do you have any friends who can come over? I used to invite people to my house and lie on the sofa whilst the kids entertained themselves and my friends (feeling sorry for me!) would run around making coffee!! I found it difficult and worrying to go out too - really worried about passing out when I walked around...so much easier if they came to me but I did make the effort and nothing horrible happened! Do you live in a town/city or in the country? I am fortunate enough to be in an area with loads of play gyms etc... and I did go there quite a bit and sat quietly reading a magazine whilst she ran around madly.....often I'd invite a friend along so she could chase after them if I couldn't climb up to the top of the slide!!!
At home, we did tons of cooking, making playdough, sticking/painting etc - but what they really want to do is go play outside or with other kids so I did rely on friends an awful lot...

Just wanted to say that you're not alone. I'm in a similar position - have just over 4 weeks before c-section and a 17 month old. Unfortunately my dd can't walk - and probably won't until she's nearer 2...and like you I just feel so ill. Also went to hospital....but not a lot they can do. I do have low (really low) blood pressure - which doesn't help. I do drive but sometimes feel unsafe to do so.

I have resorted to TV...although at 17 months isn't interested unless it's Pingu! I've bought aquadraw which keeps her amused....and hidden toys in various small IKEA boxes, so she thinks she's got loads of new toys! I've also invited mates round - who bring biscuits, make tea and in return i let their kids go nuts!!

It is hard / impossible to rest...so just making life a bit easier is all I can manage. Good luck with it all - sorry I'm not much help - just wanted to let you know you're not alone!!

Can you make it to the nearest park/green space perhaps even take a taxi one way? Now the weathers a bit warmer, you could lie down on a rug or something while your three your old gets a chance to run around. Time the trip to be mid afternoon (3 ish) to ensure maximum other children to entertain your lo.

Is there a local library/friendly cafe where your DD can run about and you can sit down?

Could your partner take the odd day off to give you a rest? Even a day a week at this stage might be a help.

Have you got a garden - if so invest in some garden toys, eg water table, sand pit, to keep her occupied outside whilst you sit with a drink. Library is also a good idea - you can sit and read her stories. When I was pregnant Ds1 used to have VERY long baths whilst I sat on the loo seat with a cup of tea and a book.

Crikey - you could be me. I felt exactly as you are describing from weeks 5 to 24 and now again at week 28.....I have a 16 month old and I am feeling beside myself. I can barely breathe I am so tired, heavy limbs, feel faint and utterly utterly exhausted. Pain rips through my pelvis and hip with every step I take. I have no idea how I am going to manage but I do one day at a time and count the minutes until DD is in bed and then feel horribly guilt ridden for her. I will watch your thread with interest.

Thanks for all the replies. We don't have a garden (we live in a first floor flat) but i have never wished so much that we had one! It would be lovely to let dd potter about outside Today didn't go too badly, we live pretty much in the city centre, so we caught the bus, went to the veg shop, had a little wander around and came home. I am feeling tremendously guilty about taking dd out of nursery though. When I was at work she went full time (which I felt guilty enough about!) but now I am on maternity leave I really can't afford it and I couldn't walk her there if I wanted to. I know she is missing her friends. I have the midwife coming tomorrow to check my blood pressure so I am going to speak to her about how I am feeling. I just don't remember feeling like this when I was pg with dd. Birth is going to be a relief!