LPT Request: Healthcare providers & staff, what gift/gesture can patients give to show gratitude after a complicated birth

Submitted by vco19 t3_10n6n5z in LifeProTips

I had an unexpectedly complicated birth last week and my partner and I would like to show our deep gratitude to everyone who cared for us and our new baby along the way. OBs, family medicine doctors, anesthesiologists, and nurses, what has really meant the most to you to receive from a patient after a similar situation? We would really like to express our thanks with something tangible, not just the in person thank yous we said in the hospital.

Thanks so much!

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Ordinary_Professor_3 t1_j677xpf wrote

Food! Order it and have it delivered to the unit . Don’t bring home made food as due to covid and sanitary reasons the staff may be hesistant to eat it and it will just be discarded .

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UnmotivatedLeftEye t1_j6799zd wrote

As the daughter of a nurse, can confirm! And if night shift staff were a part of your team, make sure they get their own, separate thank you food.

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yellowduckdude t1_j69g4s5 wrote

Just to reiterat/clarify…do not gift/delivery anything personally if it’s not “factory sealed” so to speak.

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P-A-seaaaa t1_j6eibzn wrote

Lol if someone made me some homemade food I’m throwing it away, I appreciate the gesture and it’s nothing personal

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sleeplessjade t1_j67b6y9 wrote

Grocery gift cards along with a personal note would be welcomed. Gift cards that people won’t use, aren’t very helpful, but ones for the local grocery store or Walmart if there is one in town is a good choice. Everyone buys groceries, and Walmart sells such a variety of things that pretty much anyone can find something they want whether it’s food, electronics or clothes.

As someone else mentioned, give separate gifts/cards for the night shift. Most of the time they miss out on gifts and food all together because they are gone before they ever make it into the building for their shift.

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Paddygirl123 t1_j6aewmf wrote

At my hospital, we’re not allowed to accept gifts like this. Bought food or a nice written note naming staff would be best. For nurses, you can also nominate them for a daisy award

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Shizz-happens t1_j67jf2z wrote

Food is always welcome! I worked L&D for 3 years and flowers were nice but we really got excited when people gave us cakes or brownies, or cookies!

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P-A-seaaaa t1_j676vnx wrote

Not a gift, a gesture. Even a thoughtful personalized card

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vco19 OP t1_j677ptp wrote

Thank you! Would including a picture of the little one in the card be weird or meaningful?

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P-A-seaaaa t1_j678gyh wrote

Could be. Just think of it from their perspective, they probably get gifts on occasion from patients. In all reality, if it’s not a gift that would be particularly useful to them they will probably just get rid of it. A card letting them know how they personally made your experience positive might be something they keep on the corner of the desk or somewhere in the office as a nice reminder

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sesamoidbone t1_j6a8nmb wrote

Physician here! A note with a picture of the family will go up in the lounge or offices. Food is deeply appreciated and it’s awesome if it’s delivered in two different shifts for day team (7 am start time) and night team (7 pm). Then, a detailed letter with names to HR so that they can be recognized by administrators (helpful for bonuses, awards, promotions.)

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puppiesnpizzas t1_j69wrrh wrote

Almost every hospital policy dictates that nurses and providers can only accept gifts of “nominal value”, so no cash or gift cards as they could get the staff potentially fired. Treats are the most common gifts we are allowed to take, and genuinely appreciate.

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keepthetips t1_j676jnx wrote

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endosurgery t1_j69d8qt wrote

As a physician, I appreciate a sincere thank you. I don’t need anything else. i will always say that if you feel compelled to give some to me then donate to a charity.

In regards, to the nursing staff, you would have to ask them, but a gift card for a restaurant that delivers is always a good one. Nothing like getting done good food during a long shift. When I was in training the nurses always would share with us students and residents when we would miss the cafeteria. I always try to pay that back.

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unseen_genius t1_j69y0zk wrote

You can ask in r/residency and r/nurses since they are the ones your gesture will be directed towards!

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mywifesintarget t1_j6argjh wrote

Coffee is the universal currency for healthcare workers. Bagels or donuts pair well.

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momlv t1_j6by2a1 wrote

Nothing tangible-a good review or especially a call to a boss-a higher up, the higher the better-accepting gifts from patients is tricky and can cause problems.

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SaltAd6438 t1_j6ldi24 wrote

My wife was hospitalized with covid for 7 days while also being 8 months pregnant with our soon to be son.

Thankfully she prevailed, fully recovered, and gave birth to a beautiful baby.

Before leaving the hospital (she gave birth in same hospital she was in for covid 6 weeks prior), we brought the baby down to the nurse who cared for her.

I said to the nurse, you saved not only my wife's life but this little baby also. And here he is because of you.

The nurse cried.

I think it was the best gift we could give her.

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sandyslopez t1_j67ebra wrote

Ñame your child after him

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Guilty_Ad8315 t1_j67supi wrote

They owe you nothing. It's a job YOU signed up for and a service they will make payments on for years. Stop expecting nice things for doing your job

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