hi, all i can say is that a body has much more strength than a body realizes. i have a feeling that you may still have much strength and i hope you find it and use it. i have a totally different set of issues, but look, i'm 65, and have at many times felt that i was at the point of breaking. i think you should find a therapist quickly though. maybe even if you just look at a directory and point at one. you can always switch later if necessary. i think that having one is just a good resource. as for your high blood pressure, i can pass along what little i know. if your doctor is ignoring you, try to meditate. i've touched on its calming quality and still have a great deal to learn but maybe think to a time when you will actually be achieving the things you want now and just keep your mind on it as being on a good road to getting there. if you get distracted, just put yourself back on course. but i also want to ask, do you have a friend or someone who can help you? is there a social worker at the hospital? could you let them know why you believe you have high blood pressure? the saying "the squeeky wheel gets the grease" exists for a reason. if you speak up enough, you get results. (try to not sound like an unruly patient). I don't know that i know much, but hope some of this can help you.

I did two months of bed rest with my second pregnancy. Quite possibly the toughest two months of my life, but I feel well-compensated for the benefits of the concentrated study of meditation and calming techniques. It didn't feel like much of a benefit at the time, but the study has had some solid long-term benefits.

Gentle support while you ride it out. Vent freely. Vent often.

i found a meditation video on youtube and it helped a little bit.
i am working with a social worker right now. and a therapist should be coming by today or on monday.
as for friends...the closest thing i have to friends are the people here and my coworker M.

What ever it takes, meditating, movies, music, drawing....find away to calm the increase in cortisol that you are creating is also being fed to your baby. I know how hard it must be but this is needed. All of the above suggestions increase your control of the situation. Knowing that it is not the same as your past is important, today is today. You are there to help a human survive, your baby. Getting others to hear you is a positive step, changing rooms if possible? Let them know you have PTSD from confined places. Ask for a chaplain they will come for just talking if you want, it's not always about prayer that offers comfort. You would be surprised by the resources they may have. Get some extra juices and Popsicle's the clear flavor and cold helps ground your senses.

So what kind of things do you like to do that you can do from the bed? (I drew for fours days straight to stay calm). If you like to do crafts ask the caseworker to get supplies from the children's ward. Look up origami and ask for paper to work with.

Find fantasy movie to watch on you tube or member site like netflix or others like that. Most offer a free trial period if you are not subscribed.

Ask for a visit with a birthing nurse for breathing techniques, oxygenating your system helps lower your blood pressure and heart beat.
Call coworker and see if they can bring in some indulgent dessert that you have wanted to try, or a book you have been wanting to read.

Hugs, and support
Jewell

Ask them to leave the door open. You will see first people and they will address you when they come in and you can expect them better...nothing worse than unknown noise/voices. The patient care techs are usually the most responsive to requests. Also ask to see if the kitchen offers an alternative menu (most do) that you can access under longer term stays.

It's much harder than many people realize to just stay put.

Big hugs, Patti

Big hugs of support.

A hospital room is by definition one of the hardest rooms to be calm in in the whole world. Only a courtroom might surpass it. So don't be too hard on yourself when your usual breathing techniques don't calm you and bring your blood pressure down as they usually do. What jewells says makes sense to me--cartoons on tv, anything light or silly, whatever works. Hope that therapist comes today and that you don't have to wait until Monday.

i really like the idea of the open door for you : ) and visiting with the chaplain too. i had the nicest chaplain visit me when i was in the hospital in march. she just hung out with me for awhile and it was good. she held my hand and sat with me for no apparent reason, just being kind and good.

thinking gentle thoughts your way, and i must suggest the jello - i'm a huge fan of jello xo

Some here remember when I had an "outpatient surgery" that went five days unexpectedly. My left arm in traction, so I couldn't even use regular bathroom. I also had too much of with in 2011 at this time while my husband was drugged to prevent pain while his diagnosis and treatment were worked out. Hospitals can get to all of us on some level.

I used to hide as a child in the attic in an around boxes when needed to escape SA, so sleeping in the hospital? didn't happen. The drawing helped me.
What I say about cortisol and baby has been tested and partly explains my own reactions.

Getting help may take some assertiveness, but telling them of the PTSD is needed to get results. If you need a bigger or private room, then telling them might do the trick. The same with the door being open and the menu. Anything that gives you a feeling of some choice within the boundaries.

How about a movie?
Disney Movies - Spirit Stallion Of The Cimarron
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbYCVYjf5ok

Thank you all.
The door to my room is now open. I'm finding out that cartoons have changed since i was little but they still have some of the classics on tv.
last night i was able to sleep due to a video on youtube that plays the sounds of waves crashing on the beach. i love going to the beach. one of these days i will talk myself into surfing. i think.
i do get to order my food. which isnt too bad.
what really sucks is the fact that im not allowed to give me my own insulin. but i do check my sugar more often then they do and i think they get annoyed because i keep a closer eye on it then they do.

I also find it hard to be confined and feel that I have no control over it. I have found little things to control and that helps. The door as many have mentioned, having the blinds open makes the room feel larger, not caving a curtain drawn helps not to feel secluded, and pushing the call button helps for amusement purposes... just kidding...kind of :)

Gentle hug and a blessing......xo

You are stronger than you realize and can make it through this, a day at a time. Can you ask someone for a larger room with a view of the garden, then if you can't get to the garden right now maybe just viewing it from your room would help to relax you. Calming music for meditation or relaxing is wonderful. I am a fan of You Tube and the rain on the roof sounds or ones with a crackling fireplace are my favorites. Sounds to relax and sooth you to help you de-stress. Ask the hospital for a chaplain or local minister to talk or pray with you, see if a PTSD therapist is available, and when you are able, see if you can join a PTSD recovery group. It helps to be with others who understand and help to give you the emotional support and encouragement you are needing. In the meantime continue to focus on you and your strengths, what you want to do in the future, plans for your babies, work towards your goals. Your past is your past, it does not define who you are. Where you are going today is what is important, what you want to happen. You are in control of that. Fill your mind with positive things, when the past starts to creep up tell yourself, no! I refuse to entertain negative thoughts and I will march toward what is best for me. I have a bible verse that is helpful to recall when I get discouraged and distressed about things that have happened in my life it is in Philippians and to paraphrase, it's looking forward to what lies ahead and letting go of the past, and letting God guide us, He has a plan. I will be praying for your healing and recovery from PTSD, I understand what you are going through, I have PTSD and am still recovering. Blessings to you. http://bit.ly/2u1wiCp