Gifts for L&D nurses?

wtfisup · March 2014

**Disclaimer: I KNOW I just did a thread about getting gifts for shower hosts and you must be thinking, "This bish is trying to buy presents for everyone." Not the case. I swear.

Buuuuuuuuuttttt ... I think this topic first showed up on my Pinterest feed: the notion that you 'should' (with varying degrees of obligation) bring some small treat for the nurses who will take care of you in the hospital. Like many things on Pinterest, I thought it was crazy crack for people who also have time to make all their kids' lunches look like penguins and crap. Totally disregarded it. Then it came up again and again in other places, so I asked my friend who is a postpartum (mother and baby unit nurse about it. Her response: "No, you don't have to. But it's nice. A lot of people do give us something small. If you don't, even a thank you helps." So from there, I took to Google and came across an article that mentioned something along the lines of, "Hey, if nothing else, it might help get you assigned to a bigger recovery room." Who knows -- I think that would depend more on what was available.

I know the nurses at my hospital can't accept actual gifts, and I'm learning it's more the norm to bring the unit nurses something edible (long shifts, after all).

QUESTION TIME: Where are you on this issue?

wtfisup · March 2014

My plan right now, I think, maybe, probably is to make a gift basket of snacks. I'll probably go to Target and buy an assortment of granola bars, chips, chocolate, tea, etc. to tuck in there. Then I'll leave it with a pair of our good friends to bring to the hospital.

If that doesn't work out, I might just ask our friends to pick up some donuts and bring for them.

ElTrain5 · March 2014

Lol @ "people who also have time to make all their kids' lunches look like penguins"

steprozz · March 2014

I'm not sure if I will this time or not since I'm having a scheduled c section and haven't really thought about it but with my first baby I brought a basket of snacks for the nurses station. being a nurse myself I know that snacks and food can go a loooong way and it's fairly cheap and easy to do for them. a small but much appreciated gesture!

JNerd · March 2014

Um.... nope.

Did not know this was a thing, and will admit (selfishly) to having bigger/more important things to focus on regarding L&D.

Not that it is a reason to be selfish or anything, but we also just found out hubby's health spending account can be used for a private room, and that 2 weeks later his account 'refills'. The account has a 'use it or lose it' policy, so we will likely go that route since it won't cost us anything.

curlylocks3 · March 2014

It's always nice when people bring in something like cookies or donuts but it doesn't make me treat them any different if they do it or not and it definitely won't get you assigned to a bigger or better room on our floor. If you did it I'd simply thank you and move on (and enjoy my treat).
I wouldn't put a ton of work into it- and I certainly won't be. Just something small and a thank you card. H will probably bring whatever it is after delivery but before I go home so no worrying about it while actually in labor.

jwarnerb · March 2014

I didn't think about a gift until you mentioned it- but I had planned on sending a thank you note afterwards if the experience was good (fingers crossed it will be!). Now that you bring it up it I may send a small gift basket with the note. But, I also like the idea of having a friend bring in the basket...hmm. Yes, I think I will do the basket thing.

GAH! THANKS A LOT! Like I didn't have enough to think about.

liberty95 · March 2014

This time, like last, we will provide food for each shift. We brought bagels in one morning, donuts one evening and pizza one afternoon.
As a nurse I know the sheer joy of a food delivery by a patient and we were so appreciative to the staff so it was an easy decision for us.

bumpuser9343355 · March 2014

I will probably do a gift basket of some sort. I wouldn't expect any favors because of it, but I know I always love getting small items from students and parents and I imagine nurses feel the same. Plus, everyone loves food.

curlylocks3 · March 2014

Eta: and what might make more of a difference is if there is a nurse or several nurses that really stand out as being outstanding during your stay to mention them by name during your follow up survey, or if your hospital gives you an opportunity to recognize them on anything prior to discharge. At least at my hospital that actually goes in my personnel file so it's nice that my manager sees it. Plus I don't find out about it until a few weeks later so it's always a nice thing that makes me smile when I get my copy of the recognition.

Sbanksjohnson · March 2014

Absolutely yes- I plan on having a Total Wine giftcard ready for my L&D nurse (I'm a nurse too and have never met another nurse that doesn't drink

curlylocks3 · March 2014

Just gonna say: consider your postpartum nurses too. Yeah, L&D is a huge part of it but they do a ton too.

amackattack · March 2014

This might be my Monday blues and hormonal grumpiness talking but they are getting paid to do their job! I guess I don't understand why a thankyou in the form of food or a gift is necessary for them performing the requirements of their job?

If I had a fantastic nurse who went above and beyond I would likely mention this to a supervisor afterwards so they could get some recognition, as I would any coworker or outstanding employee.

bumpuser9343355 · March 2014

Lcgroenewe said:

This might be my Monday blues and hormonal grumpiness talking but they are getting paid to do their job! I guess I don't understand why a thankyou in the form of food or a gift is necessary for them performing the requirements of their job? If I had a fantastic nurse who went above and beyond I would likely mention this to a supervisor afterwards so they could get some recognition, as I would any coworker or outstanding employee.

In my mind, nurses fall into the category of people who aren't as appreciated as they should be for the work they do. A lot of them go above and beyond the call of duty and I think that's something that deserves to be recognized (even if it is just a card or a mention on a survey).

lizok22 · March 2014

wow, people on here really think about everything.

Mztwilson · March 2014

I think a small bag of goodies for each nurse would be a really good idea. I've never heard of this but as a CNA I know food is always appreciated. So maybe I'll put together some candy bags for each nurse or something like that.

Rosebud2587 · March 2014

SS: I wouldn't get gifts for my L&D nurses, but when DD was in the NICU we got some starbucks gift cards for the nurses there who took care of DD. I felt like we really made a bond with the NICU nurses, but the L&D nurses are just a blur and I really don't remember them at all.

JNerd · March 2014

BeesTimesThree said:

Lcgroenewe said:

This might be my Monday blues and hormonal grumpiness talking but they are getting paid to do their job! I guess I don't understand why a thankyou in the form of food or a gift is necessary for them performing the requirements of their job? If I had a fantastic nurse who went above and beyond I would likely mention this to a supervisor afterwards so they could get some recognition, as I would any coworker or outstanding employee.

In my mind, nurses fall into the category of people who aren't as appreciated as they should be for the work they do. A lot of them go above and beyond the call of duty and I think that's something that deserves to be recognized (even if it is just a card or a mention on a survey).

jacksoha · March 2014

I know this isn't about giving birth, but my grandmother was recently in the hospital for back surgery and she had a nurse who was phenomenal and went above and beyond to take care of her. My mom went out and bought the nurse a thank you card and a small gift card to Target. I thought it was really sweet because I'm sure nurses don't get appreciated as often as they should. I might do something like this, but I'm not going to plan ahead, I'll just send someone out to get something if I feel led to do this once LO is here.

Susanbeth85 · March 2014

While I agree that it is a nice thought, I am just not sure that adding one more thing to our plates right now is a good idea. Won't we have enough to worry about it L&D? I simple thank you and remembering to be polite is my plan, but even then we may not be able to be polite when giving birth! I also have no idea how many nurses I will even see over the course of my stay, so I would have no idea how much to bring. Maybe if DH goes for food having him bring someting back if I can remember. Kinda have to wait and see how it all goes!

Pepper6 · March 2014

I hadn't heard of this, so was definitely not thinking about doing anything special. I will say "thanks" to everyone, and if given the opportunity, give compliments by name in a survey or to a supervisor, but I really don't want to have one more "thing" to worry about bringing to the hospital.

lizok22 · March 2014

are you going to give the doctor a gift too? maybe another poll.

liberty95 · March 2014

lizok22 said:

are you going to give the doctor a gift too? maybe another poll.

A food based gift delivered to the unit will, in theory, cover the nursing staff, doctors, midwifes, techs, etc...who participated in your care.

lest12 · March 2014

My mom is an RN, and anytime any of us have spent more than a day or two in a hospital or nursing home (grandparents), she makes it a point to bring in some sort of food-related treat for the staff to share.

If she doesn't think of it, maybe I'll ask her to grab something for me, since I'll be laid up in the hospital and unable to.

MrsBHM · March 2014

I worked in L&D for 4 years and now work in an Antepartum unit. My absolute favorite thing to get from a patient was a thank you card with a picture of the baby a few weeks after delivery. L&D nursing is tough and getting notes with sweet pictures and kind words about making a difference in someone's life was a really nice treat.

hlp2709 · March 2014

Where I will be having the baby there are things called I caught you caring card's. Where you can write down the RN name or someone one that has helped up during ur stay, and say what they did and why you are giving them the card. This card then goes to their boss and the person is recognized on the floor and I believe the hospital does something for the person.

kks4471 · March 2014

My two coworkers gave birth last September and October, and both of them told me about the homemade cookie treats they gave L&D. I never would have thought of it on my own, but now I'd like to bring in something like Munchkin donuts. I'm likely being induced, which is why I can plan ahead. If I go into labor before induction, that's a different story!

colllydon · March 2014

I was planning on getting a couple of $10 Dunkin gift cards for the nurses.

SA1112 · March 2014

lizok22 said:
are you going to give the doctor a gift too? maybe another poll.

I will definitely be sending some sort of treat to my OB and her staff along with a thank you note. They've been awesome through my pregnancy and my past losses and want to thank them.

As for L&D staff I will probably bring some treats if I'm having a good experience. I know as a nurse I love it when patients bring us food to say thanks!

ElTrain5 · March 2014

Do you think nurses side-eye homemade food? Like parents at Halloween?

wtfisup · March 2014

curlylocks3 said:

Just gonna say: consider your postpartum nurses too. Yeah, L&D is a huge part of it but they do a ton too.

THIS was actually my biggest confusion. I wasn't sure really which nurses were being talked about in the things I read. I mean, most likely, your postpartum nurses will take care of you for longer, right?

wtfisup · March 2014

joules235 said:

This is recommended to all Hypnobabies students. Since this method of birth requires nurses and other staff do some things out of the norm and learn some new things, snacks/treats are used to butter up the nurses. I would say bring something delicious and not healthy just yummy, like slutty brownies or chocolate turtle cookies or some other rich decadent treat.

I'd love to bake something, but you know, labor. I mean, it might be long and chill enough that I have time to bake blondies. But I doubt that will be my priority. And I don't want to take some stale crap I baked a week beforehand.

LilyGracesMommy · March 2014

As a nurse, we love receiving, food ( donuts, cookies, pizza, etc.) but by no means is it ever expected, if anything it's a nice surprise; but it certainly won't get you a better/bigger room.

I'm thinking ill buy a sheet pizza or 2 on my postpartum day, but I didn't do anything with my other 2

Cherylwang · March 2014

I went into labor at 38 weeks with both my previous pregnancies. Depending on how long you are in labor you will see more than just one nurse. I guess a basket could be nice but there are so many different nurses taking care of you and baby during your stay I think it's unnecessary or your basket would have to be huge to accommodate.

LilyGracesMommy · March 2014

Rachel5130 said:

@ElTrain5 said:
Do you think nurses side-eye homemade food? Like parents at Halloween?
I was thinking the same thing. But I guess since they "know" who you are, it's not as weird. I agree with @wtfisup - I won't be able to plan that, and wouldn't want to take nasty old crap. I will probably buy something, pending I have a great experience, or maybe just do something nice for one person who sticks out to me most.

Yes. While the gesture is still nice, most nurses wont eat homemade goodies. At least that's what goes down on the floor I work on ( med-surg, not maternity)

curlylocks3 · March 2014

ElTrain5 said:
Do you think nurses side-eye homemade food? Like parents at Halloween?

I don't know any who do. I mean if I don't think I will enjoy something I don't eat it, but it's never crossed my mind to turn down something just because it's homemade.

Eta: I see some do, so I guess I should retract my statement. Just doesn't happen on our floor.

tnd1218 · March 2014

I actually heard about this during my last pregnancy on the bump. My In laws bake so they made a bunch of different treats and had them on different trays. I loved my nurses and DH knows quite a few of them. Nurses loved the treats we even had a few other nurses come in for some treats. I didn't mind at all I know how it is working long 12 hour shifts. I'm pretty sure I'll do the same thing again since we will be at the same hospital.

flerlgirl · March 2014

I brought a bag of Starbursts (like one of those gigantor ones) for the whole floor last time. I brought some for the NICU nurses, too. I'll probably do it again this time. It wasn't something I had to prepare for and who doesn't like Starbursts?

wtfisup · March 2014

I would add one thing about gift cards -- some hospitals won't allow them to be accepted. There is often a policy in place against anything other than food gifts, and gift cards are considered a financial thing by some.

chloephoebecali · March 2014

I brought a bag of chocolate and offered some to everyone that came into my room (l&d and postpartum). With Ds, I believe I had muffins made that would have gone to waste if I didn't bring them anyway. I also had various snacks/treats for us and visitors. I just packed the candy/snacks with my clothes, toiletries, etc. This way Dh also had stuff on hand if I couldn't order enough food for him.