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My friend is pregnant and because her body decided to be a jerk, she's on bedrest. She's going stir-crazy in her house because she's the type that constantly has to be on the go. Does anyone have any ideas about what she could do that will keep her busy but relaxed at the same time? Obviously nothing strenuous, as she's pushing the limits already.

Journal, sort pictures, read books. Does she have a wheel chair? can you take her for a roll in a wheelchair? Fresh air might help her out. Board games, cross stitch, crochet, . . . .

Loss of freedom can be very tough to deal with. Watch her for depression and have her call her doc

[This message edited by MovingUpward at 8:39 AM, July 15th (Tuesday)]

Unfortunately I don't live near her, so visiting is not really an option. I suppose I could facetime with her or something to that effect. I'm looking more for ideas for crafting, maybe something she can make for the baby or something.

Crochet? She could watch youtube videos for instructions if she's never done it before. She could make a simple baby blanket.

[This message edited by lieshurt at 9:14 AM, July 15th (Tuesday)]

Hmmm...that may work!

Does she have a tablet or laptop? Would she be content wasting hours surfing the web facebooking and stuff? Maybe writing a book? or doing on-line classes or something like that.

If not crochet, then needlepoint is really easy to do and there are some really cute baby patterns out there.

I was on bedrest or in the hospital for the last 4 months of my last pregnancy. I read a LOT and rediscovered embroidery. Crossword puzzles are another way to keep your mind occupied and pass the time. You can even get them for your kindle.

Pintrest is also a great way to pass time and it gives you ideas for projects once you're back on your feet. Makes you feel productive even while you're confined.

Loneliness was the worst part. Do try to make time to facetime with her. She will appreciate the effort you are making.

Finally, if you can afford it, send her flowers or a cookie bouquet from time to time. Anything to brighten her day.

Oh no! I hope she's ok! I was on bed rest for 3 months due to high blood pressure when I was pregnant with DS.

I survived on Netflix, magazines,visitors, and my laptop. Does she have an iPad? IF so, download games and apps.

I hope it helps!

I second crochet. It's really easy to learn and she can make loads of stuff for the baby. Knitting too and cross stitch would take up hours of her time or hand sewing.

The first time I was pregnant I found an old game boy in a drawer that I used to play when I couldn't sleep, just old Mario games so pretty simple, I have no intrest in modern computer games but I loved playing that and it used to make the baby go crazy inside.

Thanks all! She's ok for now. She has a short cervix so she can't be up and about much. She'll be re-evaluated this week, but chances are she'll have to stick it out for the rest of the pregnancy unless they can stitch her.

She has a lot of technology, but there are only so many times that you can find the end of the internet!

My old coworker was stitch up with great results so hopefully that will be an option for her.

Does she scrapbook or interested in it? You could get her a kit to pre-made baby pages so all she has to do is stick in the baby's picture when the time comes (ie baby's first step, baby's first haircut, etc pages)?

Close to my Heart has a club where they send you a kit each month to do a step-by-step project. It is easy for beginners, etc. One month mine had everything to make cards, next month it was something different. Many scrapbooking companies offer a similar program.

Ohhhh - card making might be good....she could make her own "thank you" cards for baby gifts, etc. so she is all set when the baby comes?

Is she a photographer? There are many online classes you can take at your own pace.

Would she be open to video games? I know it seems juvenile, but they work to take you out of your current situation in a pinch.

Nintendo 3DS has an awesome game called Animal Crossing... it's very mellow and methodical but also pretty and fun. You get to be mayor of a town, there's an island you can visit. You go fishing, catch exotic bugs... you can even do landscaping with fruit trees and flowers. There are holidays and neighbors and a town. It even has weather - some days it's sunny, some days it's raining... there are even thunderstorms.

I love it when I'm sick. It almost feels like going outside.

Just a thought.

I was on strict bedrest (up only for showering, the bathroom and medical appointments) for close to five months with banana #3 and this was back in the days before tablets and Netflix (15 years ago). I read a lot and I second crocheting. I made more than one afghan during this time. Puzzles and games are good, too.

Moo is right - someone should watch her for depression. It's hard to be down that long when you're watching life go on around you.

[This message edited by wildbananas at 2:24 PM, July 16th (Wednesday)]

I hope your friend's pregnancy progresses well and she doesn't get too depressed.

You could play long-distance online Scrabble with her (eg Words with Friends). She could have multiple games on the go at once. Or you could even play games with a physical board, via Facetime/Skype and video. In similar vein to the way people used to play chess long-distance, in pre-internet days - by having a board each and telling their opponent the square to which they'd moved a piece.

For craft, definitely knitting. Knitting for babies is practically compulsory isn't it?! Baby bootees are allegedly really easy and multiple pairs are probably useful, as they tend to fall off and get lost. If she doesn't want knitted clothes for her baby, maybe she could try toys. In the olden days, women's magazines used to offer lots of knitting patterns for cute toys. I expect that by now at least some of them have been posted online. Tiny things, perhaps, that could be suspended from those clever contraptions that babies nowadays have over their floor mats, all ready for them to bash or kick one day and entertain visitors......

And, of course, she could make a notch on the bed post every time someone mentions Sophia Loren......

[This message edited by Cally60 at 10:08 PM, July 16th (Wednesday)]