Mamas on Bedrest: Meet April’s Mama of the Month, Jennifer Breedlove
April 4th, 2012I love hearing how mamas cope with bed rest. Each story, while strikingly similar is also uniquely different. Each mama finds a way to cope, stay strong and do what she must to “keep her little bun (s) in the oven.”
April’s Mama of the Month is Jennifer Breedlove. Jennifer is a mama of 4 and endured 11 weeks of bed rest while pregnant with her now 15 month old twin boys. Here is Jennifer’s story.
I was put on bed rest at 25 weeks for preterm labor with cervical shortening. I was hospitalized and got magnesium and sent home three days later. Four weeks afterward, I went back for a check up (I had been seen at two week check up, with no cervical changes) and I was dilated to 5 cm in preterm labor again! My first twin was breech so at 29 weeks, they kept me in the hospital for preterm labor and advanced cervical dilation. I stayed at 5 cm for the next seven weeks and ultimately got induced! My ob said he’d never seen anyone stay dilated for so long without complications. I was on bed rest with our twin boys for eleven weeks…56 of those days on hospital bed rest!
I had a goal each day and became a creature of habit. I am very active so I was shocked when I was put on bed rest! I immediately started a bed rest exercise program and when I became inpatient, a physical therapist designed a program for me that I would do every day (most times twice daily). Like most moms on bed rest, I felt alone, afraid for my babies and angry that my body was going into labor too soon. I Just prayed for each day to stay pregnant and at 36 weeks, I was induced and gave birth to two healthy boys! Praise God!
To mamas on bed rest I say stay positive, take help from whomever offers and have a daily goal. I got reacquainted on Facebook and looked forward to my two other children and husband to visit. Thankfully, my mom was able to visit me ever night and eventually, I got wheelchair privileges to get some fresh air. It’s been a rough year but we’re finally adjusted to our new life and I ran my first marathon within eight months after their birth to celebrate our health.
Andrew and Joseph were born on January 30, 2011. Drew was 5 lbs, 6oz. Joseph was 6 lbs, 2 oz. Perfect little men who walk now!
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