Gifts to the nurses?

[Anonymous]

Hi,
Do I need to take any gifts to the L&D nurse(s) and Post-partum nurses? If so, what would be good other than chocolates? I would think they get so many of them.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Nope especially since they rotate out so quickly.

If you really want to you can though. Nobody will ever turn down gifts.

Keep in mind you are going to more preoccupied with labor and delivery than giving the nurses a gift. The same with post partem. Plus, you'll be utterly exhausted, focused on nursing, contacting friends and family, trying to recover, etc.

I wouldn't waste time worrying about it especially if you are only there for 2 days.

Now if you had a really long stay and you personally got to know the nurses then you may want to reconsider.

[Anonymous]

I brought chocolates for the L&D nurses and the postpartum nurses. Yes, you'll be preocupied with other things, but it only takes a moment, you will have bought them beforehand and can have them packed, and that's something hubby can take care of (actually giving them to the nurses). It was a nice gesture and really didn't take a lot of time and energy on my part.

[Anonymous]

We didn't think of it, but my mother-in-law brought chocolates for us to give the pp nurses at Sibley. They were really thankful and said that people never do it. It was so appreciated that we felt guilty taking credit for her gift...

[NICURN]

Hello Everyone,
First I will say that personal gifts are not allowed, but group gifts like food is. And you bet, chocolates are the first on the list. But for a creative thank you try bagels and cream cheese in the morning or a selection of muffins, a fruit bowl goes over well (especially the new trendy fruit arrangements), one family brought in a basket of nonperishables like microwave popcorn, puddings etc so that the food would be available to all the nurses on the different shifts.
By no means do your nurses expect gifts. But it is very appreciated. I am a NICU nurse so some of my families are with us for weeks at a time and we establish close bonds. But regardless of duration of stay, it's always nice to be recognized and appreciated
Thanks for being so thoughtful!

[Meconbear]

I had an AMAZING L&D nurse at Sibley. She was funny, sweet, and stayed two hours after her shift ended to see me to delivery. I bought her a gift card for a mani at Red Door.

[Anonymous]

My sister and her DH sent a huge gift basket of fruit to the nurses AFTER she was discharged from the hospital. They were, obviously, overwhelmed after the delivery but wanted to thank everyone. DH and I plan to do the same.

[Anonymous]

I sent a basket of food to my doctors office after delivery as a thank you for a year of hard work

[Anonymous]

The first time I was there for a week due to complications and usually had the same nurses - we bought flowers for them. My mom would also bring in breakfasst food when she came to visit. The second time we had some of the same nurse and bought then gift certificates...my situation was a bit inque though. In addition, DH also wrote a letter to hospital administrator. We are both in healthcare and know it os nice to be recognized even if just a thank note to individuals or administration. We all are quick to point out the bad stff most times.

[Anonymous]

NICURN -- is that the policy (no individual gifts) at your hospital or do you think that is fairly typical?

We were planning to get a gift for our doula but I hadn't planned on the nurses because I figured, with shift changes, we wouldn't really get to know any of them. I hadn't thought about extended stay/NICU type situations. Thanks for bring that up.

[Anonymous]

Labor and delivery nurses often have long shifts and nowadays with all the nursing shortage not getting a break seems to be the norm so I have found that box of bagels and cream cheese in the morning is greatly appreciated. A nice snack to have on the run! Chocolate is also great.

[Anonymous]

I sent a gift (soaps from Mount Harmony) to L&D and postpartum after I was home. I realize the nurses who took care of me might not be the ones to get their hands on a present, but I figure they all deserve something, and "my" nurses have probably benefited from someone else's gifts at some point.