Sweater: Free People [runs large, go down a size!] | Scarf: LV, Similar, Similar, Similar | Lipstick: Brave | Tray: Shopbop | Gift Bags: Amazon | Cards: Bellinvito | Lip Balm: EOS | Lotions: Amazon | Hair Ties: Etsy | Coffe Mug: Gift from Mom, not sure where from!
Photography by: Angie Garcia
As I wind down with work and start preparing to have our little babe, I’ve been checking off a to-do list before it’s “go-time.” One recent thing I finished was our nurse gifts! Now, I know…I know! You never know your delivery situation. I could be at Target and my water breaks and chances are I may not run home to pick up nurse gifts if my bag is already in my car. But I made sure to put together a little basket of gifts for our L&D nurses as a way to say thank you! Because they are the ones that are by you every step of the way while you bring your little one into the world.
The other thing you might notice is how pink they are! Oops! Haha! I basically went off the theme of having a little girl, and then realized the gifts were super girly. I did have someone message me and ask, “What if you have a male nurse?” Don’t worry, I did think of any male staff with food options I’ll share below. I just forgot how girly these gifts would look once I compiled all the pink together. #KateyProblems However, I do want to note that on my hospital tour a lot of girls asked if there would be male nurses in L&D and our tour guide said no. So again, not sure how true that is for my entire stay [because I’ll get moved to another floor after I give birth] so I thought of them with things I’ll list below.
In the basket I made 12 little pouches and filled them with eos lip balm, rose lotion, hair ties [the cards on the hair ties say, “Dresses, ribbons and hair to curl, we are tickled pink you helped us have our little girl.”] and $10 Starbucks gift cards as there is a Starbucks in the hospital we deliver at. I then threw in a little handwritten note with each gift. In the basket I also threw in lots of different candies they can munch on during their shift along with snacks like granola bars and goldfish! So of course a male nurse can enjoy the food, Starbucks gift cards and notes which everyone likes more than lip balm anyways. 😉
Another thing a reader mentioned is to ask your hospitals gifting policy. I’m really not too sure how rare/common it is that they can’t accept gifts but I would definitely call ahead and ask just in case your hospital doesn’t allow staff to accept gifts! We asked on our tour and they said gifts were completely welcome.
Lastly, another thing to consider, is that your OB may or may not be the one to deliver your baby. It really just depends who is on call! But I seriously love my doctor, she has the most amazing bedside manner and is really compassionate so I wanted to say thank you to her for how wonderful she has been with all my first-time mom questions! We actually go to the same hair salon so I got her a card and a gift certificate for there that I plan on giving her at my 39 or 40-week doctor’s appointment. Another option is always a restaurant gift card because we all know doctor’s work crazy hours and probably do not want to think about dinner on their way home!
Of course you don’t have to compile gifts for all your nurses, I just really enjoy putting together things like this as it relaxes me and I’m a huge gift giver. I believe at the end of the day, handwritten cards are what mean the most to nurses after they have had a really trying shift or long week. I don’t think nurses [and people in the medical field in general] ever get thanked enough for all they do and if you are one I’m sending you a huge hug from Texas. Thank you for being so incredibly selfless and sacrificing so much for people you don’t even know!
What pen are you using!? Love the gift ideas.
Hi girl!
It was in my stocking this year from my mom, so I’m not 100% sure! Thank you so much for reading! 🙂
Xo,
Katey
You are so thoughtful! You might want to prepare something for the male nurses if there are going to be any though (both my parents are nurses hehe).
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Hi girl!
I talked about that in the blog post! 🙂 I got the male nurses gift cards and a huge bag of snacks/candy.
Xo,
Katey
These are the cutest! And so thoughtful! My mom is a nurse and my dad is a doctor (both for around 30 years) and they both loved your idea. The world needs more Kateys!
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
Aw yay! I’m so glad they loved the idea! Thank you so much girl. I was so funny and I think I bugged ALL my friends that work at this hospital. I was like, “Tell me how many gifts to make?!” #FirstTimeMomProblems
xoxo,
Katey
How many did you end up making?
Oh gosh, I can’t remember! Maybe 10?! But I think I only needed like 6 or 7
Patient satisfaction surveys are very important and will be sent to your home after discharge. You may even receive a phone call regarding your stay. Completing those will most directly impact the staff that has taken care of you and your child and the staff would be very appreciative if they receive high marks.
1. I’m not a nurse, 2. I’m not pregnant. So why did this post make me tear up?! I think this is the sweetest thing. My sister recently had her first baby and I was in the room with her during the whole process, and seeing how attentive the nurses were to her was just the greatest, most supportive thing. I absolutely love this idea and will be doing this in the future with my babies! You have such a great heart, Katey!
I love this!
I felt like my nurses were by BFF’s by the time I left the hospital. My daughters are 11 months apart so when I saw them it again it felt like a sorority reunion (with labor and babies)!!!
I know I didn’t have any male nurses for both of my deliveries so I think you willl be ok!
My doctor was really into Great Dane’s – she has 2 and works for a rescue so I found her a collectors statue (10 inches) of a Great Dane dressed like a doctor. She is not an emotional person and she actually cried. So I know your doctor will love your thoughtfulness. If I were you I would give it to her sooner than 39 weeks if you can. My doctor had to deliver babies on my last three appointments so I never got to see her until I was in labor.
Good luck and I LOVE your handwriting!!!
This is super thoughtful and sweet! As a social worker who has worked in hospitals and in non-medical settings, we are always told not to accept gifts of “monetary value” and the same was true for the nurses and doctors. However, for those that still want to give a gift (if the hospital has a no gifting policy) one way around that is a card and candy. I can’t tell you how much the cards meant (I still have all of mine!) and we always loved getting chocolate! You wouldn’t believe how much chocolate we would all eat on a daily basis! There was always a communal basket where we would put chocolate and by 2:00pm that was the hottest place to be at:)
This is so thoughtful, such a cute idea! Definitely going to pin this for the future! Xo
This is incredibley sweet! My mom is an L & D nurse and I can tell you she always remembers the sweet patients like you that take the time to even thank her, let alone bring thank you gifts! I think, understandably, a lot of people forget how much nurses do for them because they have just gone through giving birth! So to think of them at a time like that really shows your character and thoughtfulness
Katey you have the sweetest heart! Goodness! Your nurses are going to be so touched by your thoughtfulness! I’m definitely going remember this for the future. Sending prayers to you and Paul for a safe & beautiful delivery! xx
I love this idea. Thank you for the inspiration. I didn’teven think of this until I read your post! I am adding it to my list.
Such a sweet idea! I was hospitalized last summer and my dad brought some mini candy packages to leave in my room for the nurses/techs that came in….they loved it! I know the nurses will appreciate the gifts and your thoughtfulness so much!
I love this post, because even though I am not currently pregnant, I think this is a great gift idea for Valentine’s Day or Easter for when we host at our house. Thanks for the tips!!
This is such a great idea! My mom is an ER nurse and deals with a variety of people– the really sick, the injured, the drug addicts, the people that go to the ER for a headache, etc. ERs are very overworked and often used as a “doc in the box” for people that have no insurance. My mom is a tough cookie but it means so much to her when people offer a kind word or even bring a goodie for the staff. I have to second what Michelle up there says, patient satisfaction surveys make or break a department!
Such a lovely idea! I absolutely love it!
I sent Cookie Bouquets to my nurses and my OB’s office after my daughter’s birth 20 years ago 1/24/1997.
They were all so appreciative!!!! This is just such a sweet idea!!!! My daughter and I love your IG and Blog!!!
Best Wishes and Prayers on your delivery!!!! Mine seems like yesterday and now she is a Sophomore at TAMU.
Hey girl!
I just wanted to say as a Nurse myself and also having two babies this is an amazing idea! You are spot on with your gifts too! Fed and caffeinated nurses are usually the happiest lol! Good luck with your delivery and always remember god gives you the delivery your ment to have. It might not go exactly how you planed but it was his plan for you!
Xo
P.s. From all that I have read from following you for a few years your going to be an amazing mother!
This is so incredibly thoughtful and I love the little pouches you chose! I hope everything goes smoothly as you welcome you little one into the world!
So incredibly thoughtful! Your love for Christ and your brothers and sisters is so apparent, which is why you are one of my favorite bloggers to follow. God Bless!
❤
Such a cute gift idea!! Your nurses are going to love them! I of course always love getting gifts from my patients but the true gift is just being able to share one of the most amazing experiences that they’ll ever have with them. You will definitely be the favorite patient on the floor;)
Aw Katey, this is the sweetest idea ever and the gift itself is just perfect! As an RN and soon to be maternity nurse myself, I can assure you that your nurses will appreciate this more than you could ever know. It is such a kind gesture and even though I’m sure it only expresses a tiny bit of your gratitude, it will mean the world to your nurses. They are lucky to have you as a patient and share such an incredible moment with you!! Wishing you all the best as you embark on this new adventure with your daughter. XO
This is so sweet, Katey! I’m always touched and inspired by your kindness and generosity. I’m so looking forward to following you on your journey after you have your baby girl!
Xo,
Erica
I wanted to gift my nurses so bad, especially in the postpartum unit (c-section mama here and those ladies were angels). Your little gift bags give me some great ideas. I ran out of time but I wonder if it’s not too late. I had my little one almost 6 weeks ago… Should I just send them his birth announcement since so much time has passed?
Camille
Hi Camille!
Oh I bet you could totally send a birth announcement! I think they would love that and would think it was so sweet! I hope your little one is doing well! Thank you for reading. 🙂 xo
How sweet is this! <3
BlondieInTheCity.com
I made goodie bags for my nurses when both of my sons were born. The nurses were so appreciative and touched by the kind gesture. Your nurses will love them as well! They do so much for you and your little one…I look back on my stay at the hospital and still have so much love for the kind women who helped me in my {many} times of need!
Where did you get your cute bags you put the gifts in??
Hi Megan! I linked the gift bags under the “Shop the Look” section. They are from Amazon! 🙂 xx, Katey
Love this!! I’ve been planning to do small gifts for our nurses when we have our baby in December so I love seeing this idea! Did you give them to the nurses when they were in your room or have them take one on the way out?! I’m just trying to figure out the number to make and if you gave one to every nurse?!
Hi Kristi! Thank you so much and congratulations!! I think I made about 7 and then handed them out after I chatted with the nurses. I was in labor about 14 hours, and I think about 3-4 hours in I gave them as they’d come in the room! I only had 3 that day. Then, I gave them to my nurses that cared for us on the recovery floor! 🙂 I hope that helps! xx, Katey
Hey! Could you let me know what gifts/ gift bags you’re putting together for the nurses and your doctor for this delivery? I’m due in August and loved what you did for the nurses that helped you deliver Maxi! Most of those links are expired so I thought I’d ask! And I’m sure others would like to see what you’re going to do to help them get some ideas as well!
Hi girl! Absolutely! I’ll be sharing on Insta Stories once everything comes in! Hopefully it comes in in time so I can get it shot for the blog too! With shipping delays not everything has come in for my nurse baskets yet.:( But I will definitely share- just waiting on on more thing. For my doctor, I gave her a Barefoot Dreams blanket! I hope that helps. Thank you for reading! Xx, Katey