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With my first pregnancy, everything went well until my 29 week appointment.  After school, I went to my normal OB/GYN visit only to find that I was in labor! Those back pains I’d been feeling were labor pains, not just general pregnancy discomfort.  They sent me directly to the hospital where the doctor was finally able to stop the progress. As a result, I was required to be on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy (which turned out to be nearly 5 more weeks).  Laying in an actual bed was too much stress for my body, so I spent all of that time in a recliner.  I could only get up for restroom trips, and even then the contractions threatened to flare up.

My family and friends tried to make bed rest more bearable for me, but it was a really tough time. I was lonely, and working on my National Board Certification took up most of my time. I wasn’t allowed to even get up to get any materials from school, though, so I had to work with the documentation I’d already collected.  Playing hours of solitaire, reading lots of books, and petting the cats also got me through the day. We didn’t have internet at that time, and it was pre-texting days. Having so little to do kind of sounds lovely at this point, but it was like a dark mood at that time.  My husband was tasked with finding me movies to watch, and he trotted off to the video store to collect a few.  He brought home the most depressing titles — Schindler’s List, The Pianist, Steel Magnolias…..I guess he thought “chick flick” meant something to make me cry.  Not what a pregnant mama needs when she’s already down in the dumps!   I realized that today’s bedridden preggo mamas are a LOT younger than me, and might not have seen some of the good comedies from my pregnancy days. So, I put together a list of movies that will help bide your time on bedrest.  Hopefully you have Netflix or Amazon Prime, but if not, no worries.  They’re also pretty affordable on DVD. 

This one is my absolute favorite. I could watch it every weekend.  The occasional cuss word makes me cringe, but I adore the story line. And Colin Firth!!!  Bridge Jones’s Diary would be a MUST on bedrest. $5 for the DVD

It doesn’t matter how many times I see Meet the Parents, it makes me laugh every time.  $3.99 to rent on Amazon

There’s Something About Mary is ridiculous, funny, and perfect for someone who needs to laugh. $3.99 to rent on Amazon

Adam Sandler is kind of a doofus in most movies, but he’s irresistible in 50 First Dates. It’s $3.99 to rent, but I’d probably go for the $5 DVD instead. This is one I’d watch again.

He’s crude, immature, and not-how-you-say smart.  Still, Tommy Boy is undoubtedly funny.  If you’re looking for a completely quotable, crazy movie that will make you laugh in spite of your current situation, watch Tommy Boy. It’s less than $5 on Amazon for the DVD, or $3.99 for the rental.

There are so many more, but this would get you started. Have you already seen these?

What movies would you suggest to a baby mama who is taking a mandatory bedrest break?