L&D Nurses gift

StephEppie · January 2016

Just wondering for any mommas who have given birth already; did you guys bring a gift to the nurses in labor and delivery? If so what and when/how did you give it to them?
We're planning on bringing a little something to say thanks for everything I just don't know the proper/best time to give it......I can be socially awkward sometimes when it comes to giving things to people.

saraellenM · January 2016

What is up with the pressure of having to give "presents" to the nurses on top of everything else we have to worry about? It sounds like a nice idea, but I'm overwhelmed enough with packing my bags for myself, hubby, and my little girl to stay with my parents. I wish I got presents all the time for just doing my job. Lol! Interested to hear some ideas on gifts.

nelsk65 · January 2016

I bought a bag of Hershey kisses to bring with us and plan on putting them in a little bowl so nurses can grab a couple whenever they want. Also thinking about picking up a couple bags of coffee (Starbucks and DD) to leave at the station when we head home.

mrhargr · January 2016

My sister used to be a NICU nurse. She said they really appreciated food because they didn't always have time to take a lunch. Maybe order a couple pizzas for them? Or cookies are always a safe bet.

Wicked4589 · January 2016

I am thinking of baking some cookies on Monday for when we go on Tuesday for delivery. Visitors that come see us can grab one and so can the nurses.

CandKS · January 2016

I just delivered my daughter and my girlfriend brought the nurses 3 dozen donuts when she came to visit. They were a smash hit and got me my drugs sooner

kmo8986 · January 2016

I made little goody bags with gum, nuts, granola bar, some candy and a chap stick wth my first. They were very much appreciated I had two different nurses in L&D and 2 in maternity. I ended up being at the hospital from Sunday (4am) until Wednesday do my nurses repeated. I am not doing it again this time just because I don't have the energy chasing a toddler around but it was definitely appreciated.

rainybabe82 · January 2016

I bought a bunch of different bags of candy I'm going to put in a big bowl they can keep on the nurses station or in their break room. I'm going to give it to them the afternoon after my section.

amargaret24 · January 2016

We went to a breastfeeding/newborn class delivered by an L&D nurse at the hospital I'll be delivering at. She said Trader Joes snacky foods are all the rage. Like peanut butter filled pretzels, honey pretzel sticks, etc. I had to go to the hospital for 24 hour surveillance due to preterm at 30 weeks and we offered to order our nurses mashed potatoes or mac n cheese from this place (we were ordering exactly that haha) and they all said "oh we are on diets!!" So.... I am going to opt for "Fun, healthy" It's confusing but I definitely want to do something...

SummerOH · January 2016

I made little baskets of wrapped Cheryl's cookies for both the L&D and maternity floors, 18 each, that I will have DH give them. I had a groupon so it was less than $20 total for both. Yes, I know they are getting paid to do their jobs, but it never hurts to show gratitude for taking care of me and my LOs. The staff at my hospital have been amazing with my previous kids and also with the extra testing and ultrasounds I've had with this LO. It's certainly not necessary, but it's nice.

Fwiw I also give small Xmas gifts to my mail carrier, hair stylist, and a sizeable gift to our daycare provider. I suppose I just like to show people appreciation!

Grace213 · January 2016

I delivered on Christmas. I hoard free samples that I get in the mail so I made up a little basket with some of the samples I had, granola bars (since I heard that the nursing staff doesnt always have time to eat real food), and some mini candy bars. My husband brought it to the nurses station right before we left. The tech that walked us out thanked us and said it was a cool idea!

mg137 · January 2016

I'm planning on making cookies while in labor if things start easy and smooth. Last time it started with my water breaking so contractions were strong from the beginning but I still would have been able to throw something in the oven.

I want to make a batch for our neighbors too and was thinking about doing it today. I'm due tomorrow so I might just double this batch in case I go into labor in the next day or two.

I'm doing really easy cookies. I was going to use premade dough but I ate it all.

ShannyFann · January 2016

I had conveniently made cookies the day before I went into labor and packed myself a HUGE bag because I had GD and wanted them for me for after baby was born but I ended up having zero appetite for several days after delivery. I gave them to the nursing staff and doctors instead and they were so grateful that I may make a batch again when I start getting close to due date, and if I haven't eaten them all by the time I go into labor then great for the staff. Haha!

Achae · January 2016

I'm a cheap person because I'm more worried about my deductibles and copay and coinsurance and unpaid maternity leave. *grumbles* all you ladies are the sweetest though, I suck at gift giving

Jessdub10 · January 2016

I just happened to make cupcakes the day I went in for my surprise induction (high bp at 39 w appt.). I had intended to take them to dh who was working a 24 shift, but they came with us to l&d instead. My dh left them at the nurses station when we arrived and the trays came back empty not too long after. It worked out well, but this time dh will probably just bring in donuts when he picks up dd to meet little brother - mostly to sweeten up my daughter. If brother gets boring at least there will be donuts

!

LIly436 · January 2016

They have a very good salary and union benefits, there is no need to bring gifts

PaniaO · January 2016

*Lurking from February...* I bagged up a variety of leftover blue-colored candy from my shower to bring to L&D. We're also freezing some of the themed cookies and will bring those, too. My mom is an L&D nurse and approved the idea--says they will 'eat anything' while on duty, whatever that means, hehe...

JmadC · January 2016

I noticed that stores are already stocked full of V-Day (and Easter, wtf??) candy. If I could trust myself not to sneak into it I would already have some packed into my hospital bag. ;P I'll talk myself into having a little more willpower as we get closer to my due date and I'll pick up a baggy of mini candy bars or kisses to share with anyone who pops in.

It's a tiny gesture but a little kindness goes a long way these days. ♡

anightintunisia · January 2016

I was also thinking of buying huge bags of candies from like the 99 cents store and a huge bowl and putting the candies in there. I appreciate the staff and I've been in about a trillion times with small concerns so that's the least I can do. I know it's their job but I know as a person being kind to someone can change their whole attitude. My grandma is also a nurse in a psych ward and these small gestures makes their day

anightintunisia · January 2016

@JmadC I was in the store with DH yesterday and noticed Valentines Day decor and candies and I just hushed him before his thought even came out. Like "please can we just get through having a baby". That's exhausting enough!!!

MollyA1011 · January 2016

I told my husband I want to grab some donuts for the nurses as I'm going in! Lol I'm a nurse myself and we love treats! They're never expected obviously but I know it makes me happy when families show their appreciation because that doesn't always happen. So I thought it'd be nice to pay it forward.

Ebiejay · January 2016

I hadn't really thought about it until I read this thread, but now I'm tempted to ask DH or MIL to pick up a couple trays of donuts when I go in (we're in NH, Dunkin Donuts are on like every corner).

ETA: I really like the idea of showing appreciation, and just wish I had thought of it myself for the nurses. We already give the mail man a hot chocolate most Winter days.

StephEppie · January 2016

Yeah I really just want to show my appreciation for them. I know as other ladies had said "it's their jobs" but it's always nice to be appreciated, and they're doing stuff to help take care of me so I like taking care of those who do for me. When my grandmother recently passed the staff at the (same) hospital went so far above and beyond for my family while we were there with her for her last days, we ended up doing something for the nurses in the PCU. From working in food also, when you feed people I find they tend to take care of you in return a little kinder and sweeter, it's the way to people's hearts

deaddahliah · January 2016

LIly436 said:
They have a very good salary and union benefits, there is no need to bring gifts

This may be true, but some people like to show their appreciation by giving gifts. To be fair, no one said they are mandatory and we're not talking about Coach purses here, most people are talking about food and snacks. I'd like to get something (probably candy) for my nurses, but time and money will be the deciding factor.

failuretofly · January 2016

Coming from a nurse's perspective (Emergency not L&D), I have to say you ladies are all so sweet. However may I suggest a few things to keep in mind. While gifts are appreciated by any and all hospital staff, they are by no means expected and will not (should not) influence your care (speed of meds/epidural etc). That being said, try to keep gifts to 'group gifts' for the whole staff not just YOUR nurse as the majority of hospitals have policies that prevent nurses from accepting personal gifts. As for what to give, food, candy and anything caffeinated are always a hit. Things in large denominations that nurses/staff can help themselves to are ideal and try to separate the nurses gifts from what you are having prepared for your family/friends/visitors as most nurses will feel as though they are taking from your visitors if they are asked to take from the same bowl/supply. Give the team something to keep at their station/break room with a little note so people who come and go can see who they are from and why.

AlabamaWorley · January 2016

I haven't ever done any kind of gifts for my nurses. When I first heard about doing this I felt bad and brought it up with MIL (trauma nurse) and she said something like, "Not being a rude patent and saying please and thank you is 100x better than candy or cookies."

ambercakes92 · January 2016

Anyone looking for cheap candy to leave for nurses, check out Target's Christmas clearance. Mine had bags of mini Reece's for $1.04 before tax (plus other inexpensive chocolates, etc).

SummerOH · January 2016

AlabamaWorley said:
I haven't ever done any kind of gifts for my nurses. When I first heard about doing this I felt bad and brought it up with MIL (trauma nurse) and she said something like, "Not being a rude patent and saying please and thank you is 100x better than candy or cookies."

Very true! When we had DS, the nurses would pop in just to chat on their down time (normally rare, but he was born 12/14/12 and they had a wave of 12/12/12 babies checking out so it was quieter). They said it was nice to have normal, funny, nice patients. Some patients are horrible!

I'm still giving them cookies. Because I do NOT need 36 cookies laying around when a nursing binge hits! The hunger in those early days is no joke!

CBWifey · January 2016

STM, and as a former healthcare worker, I decided to give a mini box of chocolates, like mini, meaning 4 pieces, with a travel size lotion and hand sanitizer. Husbands asked why they need hand sanitizer because it's all around, and I was like, but is it hello kitty strawberry scented?!!! Haha! Never hurts to have a mini one on your person. And from constantly washing hands, you want the lotion.
All that for $3 a piece, tied with a ribbon. I felt bad for not giving anything last time. Of course, while its their job, and not required, it's a nice gesture to say thank you, in an otherwise mostly thankless job being a healthcare worker.

stephanienjer · January 2016

Hospital nurses really put themselves out there for you and your family. They go above and beyond what their salaries pay. When my grandmother was in comfort care in her last days, and my aunt sat vigil with her, it was the nurses on staff who made sure she took care of herself--ate something and rested. She wasn't their patient, but they cared enough to check on her as much as my grandma.
I was recently admitted for a kidney stone, and my husband wasn't able to get to the hospital right away (arranging child care is tough in an emergency,) and I was never left alone until he got there. One of the nurses stayed and held my hand the whole time.
We were planning on premaking chocolate chip cookie dough, and then once the baby was born (in our hospital, the standard stay is 48 hours after birth,) my husband would "get a break" by going home and baking them. Now, it's just gotten too overwhelming. We are both addicted to a product called Brownie Brittle, and we are thinking we'll get several large bags of that in various flavors as a thank you.

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