(A Blog Article for MommySteps.com.ph Website Written 042811)
I am not used to this. This was my greatest
fear—to be confined in bed, and during pregnancy!
Two years ago, during my last pregnancy
with Miro, my 3rd child, most days were spent at the gym, carpooling
& doing the usual errands. The
wooziness was short and I kept meeting up with friends, just being my regular
self with a rounder tummy.
This time, on my 8th week, I
bled. I am 45, and I forget. I pushed myself too far. Thus, my doctor had to implement
Martial Law a.k.a. bedrest. A similar episode happened during my 2nd
pregnancy, 12 years ago, and I had to do the same, but only for 2 weeks. However, I did not have a breastfeeding
1-year-old, and wasn’t homeschooling a tween then. I was much younger, much different now.
So what do you do when parenting duties,
and preparations to move out to a new home await you? You sulk, grieve, take advantage of the sleep license, and
deal with the guilt. I was deeply
sorry that I couldn’t spend much time with Miro, drive my older kids around,
help hubby with income-making projects, and get fat and flabby.
I tried to drown out the sadness by
sleeping, reviewing pregnancy materials/sites, reducing my books-to-read pile,
watching the news (was up-to-date, even with American Idol), seeing movies I
missed, updating Twitter and Facebook, reading with Miro, using the bed as a
homeschooling desk, and conversing with God.
Nomnom (our 4th baby’s nickname)
was a surprise, just like Miro. We knew in our hearts he/she was designed by
God’s perfect wisdom and timing. In my journal, I wrote: “I appreciate You, O
God, because Nomnom means rest, recovery and stamina. He is a gift–reminding me to be faithful, pure and
steadfast... I realize this blessing is a season of rest. Of being still before You.”
I didn’t get to rehash on my French,
de-clutter my pack rat-infested room, nor journal a lot as planned, but I was
able to focus on my unique role–to be a responsible steward of this life inside
me. I had a renewed appreciation
for my ulirang husband,
kids and househelp. I texted
friends to kamusta, and
interceded for them. God’s peace kept me still.
I am on my 20th week. Martial Law was lifted 4 weeks ago! If
ultrasound cues me to go back to exercise, I will, but slowly. The 2 months of bedrest trained my body
to take it easy. I have
wonderfully discovered that recovery strengthens, and rest is the gift of
active revival and healing.
Oh yes, and because of bedrest, I also
found out that I could type fast while on a side-lying-down position, na
nakadi-kwatro pa!
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