Bed Rest

Bed rest is not easy. It sounds like it should be easy, what with the terms "bed" and "rest", each of which on its own conjuring up pleasant associations. (I guess I should acknowledge that usually these associations are with things that are optional.) When mandatory, and when in concert, "bed rest" is quite difficult.

First of all, after you've had your first luxurious nap, you want to get out of bed and stretch, or run around, or get your own glass of water. These things are not allowed. You can get up to go to the bathroom, but then you have to got back to bed, and refrain from jumping up and down on the way. If your bed rest is after the transfer of two genetically normal blastocysts, and after 2 miscarriages, one chemical pregnancy, 3 fresh IVF cycles and 4 IUIs, then you have some incentive to follow the doctor's instructions, policing yourself and trying to practice yogic breathing whenever you feel like you might jump out of bed and run around the room in circles.

After the transfer on Monday, the nurse wheeled me out of the clinic while my husband brought the car around. Following the nurse's instructions, my husband reclined the front seat of the car until it was flat, and I carefully climbed in, letting them buckle me in for the ride. As you can imagine, I felt ridiculous. Then we went back to the hotel, where I thoroughly enjoyed every step toward the elevator and down the hall to our room.

If the biggest challenge of bed rest is the actually staying in bed, then the second biggest challenge is eating and drinking while reclined. I recommend you acquire a bendy straw to avoid dousing yourself in your beverage of choice. Unless you are into that kind of thing.

N.B. Bed rest is more pleasant if you have a fluffy white dog to keep you company.