The Pregnancy Bed Rest Book: A Survival Guide for Expectant Mothers and Their Families [Paperback]

Amy E. Tracy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2001

"Often the pregnancy complication and the need for bed rest arise suddenly and unexpectedly, causing the woman and her family to face myriad problems. . . .This book can be an invaluable resource under such circumstances." (From the Foreword by Richard H. Schwarz, M.D., Obstetrical Consultant to the March of Dimes

Statistics indicate that up to 700,000 expectant women a year -- that's one in five mothers-to-be -- are prescribed bed rest as treatment during complicated pregnancies. Bed rest might sound like a relief at first -- but the combination of a possible high-risk birth and a lengthy period of staying off your feet can be stressful.

Amy E. Tracy shares her experiences -- and those of many others -- to help you and your family not only survive but thrive during your days in waiting. With information on everything from informing your employer and making arrangements with your health insurance to proper nutrition and calisthenics, this comprehensive guide also covers such topics as:
* Understanding Your Doctor's Orders
* Adjusting to Horizontal Living
* Coping with Short-term and Extended Hospitalization
* Limiting the Side Effects of Immobility
* Making Bed Rest a Family Affair
* Coming to Terms with Your Feelings
* Getting Back on Your Feet
* And More, Including Complete Resources

Editorial Reviews

Review

Bed rest is one of the most difficult therapies. . . .[This book] is a gift to those under such circumstance. -- Robert N. Wolfson, M.D.,Ph.D., perinatologist

Packed with practical pointers and encouraging stories. . . . This indispensable book offers immediate relief from the restlessness of bed rest. -- Sharon Withers, managing editor, TWINS Magazine

Practical and comprehensive, provid[ing] an expectant mother with everything she needs to follow doctor's orders. . . . [T]he perfect bedside companion. -- Carol Cirulli Lanham, author of PREGNANCY AFTER A LOSS

Supportive, hopeful, well researched, and written in a friendly style. . . . [S]ure to become a cherished companion of many expectant mothers. -- Elizabeth Pector, M.D., F.A.A.P., family physician and bed-rest veteran

This is a necessary book for any expectant mother who may spend four days or four months in bed. -- Tracy Hoogenboom, director, Sidelines National Support Network

From the Author

During my eighteenth week of pregnancy with my first son, my OB prescribed bed rest for unexplained bleeding. I quickly learned that lying low was not nearly as easy as it sounded. I hated feeling like I had no control over my life, and I didn't like relying on others to take care of my family, my home, my work, and me. I felt angry, frustrated, and sad.

THE PREGNANCY BED REST BOOK is the guide I wished I'd had during my two high-risk pregnancies. It is full of practical ideas for coping with bed rest, and it includes many hopeful stories from mothers (and fathers) who have been there. Because I know how difficult it is to find information while on bed rest, I've included lists of helpful resources and suggestions for further reading throughout the book.My hope is that this book will be a guiding light for women and their families facing a bed-rest pregnancy, providing them with direction, comfort, and encouragement.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (October 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425181669
• ISBN-13: 978-0425181669
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #324,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good book, but comes up short, August 11, 2003

By 

Margaret (Northeastern USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pregnancy Bed Rest Book: A Survival Guide for Expectant Mothers and Their Families (Paperback)

I have read every bed rest book I could find. This is not the best. The author has attempted to write a comprehensive book, and does a good job, just not great. There are better. It's very short, and after reading it, which took a couple of hours at most, I felt like I didn't have enough information. I wish the author would have had more experience with extended hospital bed rest. That would have been beneficial.

**Recommended reading: "Days In Waiting: A Guide to Surviving Pregnancy Bedrest" by Mary Ann McCann, newer edition

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book for bed rest moms and their families., January 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pregnancy Bed Rest Book: A Survival Guide for Expectant Mothers and Their Families (Paperback)

I bought this book in preparation for my third bed rest. I have logged over 42 weeks of bed rest to bring my first two children to a safe date to be born. Each day I learned something new while on bed rest. After reading this book, I learned even more.

The author's lists of resources following each chapter and in the back of the book are wonderful -- they open up a whole world to visit from bed. The parents' personal stories are supportive and inspirational. My friends were
clueless about what I was going through during my high-risk pregnancies, and they were always saying the wrong things. It helps immensely to hear from those who have "been there, done that."

Also, I love that the author created a yahoo email list "bedrestbookbuddies" so that the readers of this book can get updated information as well as support from each other.

This would make a great gift for a friend or family member on bedrest, but read it yourself first -- your understanding is the best gift you can give a mom on bedrest.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of info in a warm, caring style, February 6, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pregnancy Bed Rest Book: A Survival Guide for Expectant Mothers and Their Families (Paperback)

I thought the author presented tons of information in a warm, friendly style. Her presentation wasn't scarey like the other books for expectant multiples! I liked that she shared her own experience along with many others. I related to several of the women.
The quotes from experts and the latest studies were very interesting, especially about recovery. Now I'll be prepared when I get back on my feet!
My only suggestion is that Ms. Tracy makes the next edition longer. I finished it in one day, and I have six weeks of bedrest left!