An average of 10,687 babies are born in the United States each day in the United States alone. That means thousands of nurses. According to WebMD, most labor and deliveries last between 12 to 14 hours. During this time, a medical team is attending to the expectant mother which typically consists of one main labor and delivery nurse who is assigned to the patient.
It’s not unusual to bond with your nurse during such an emotional, lifechanging event. A nurse’s gift is one way to express your gratitude for the special shared experience. Sometimes a couple gifts a token of their appreciation together.
Gifting your nurse is something you’ll need to prepare for prior to labor, of course. You or you and your partner can decide what present you’d like to give and purchase it beforehand. But when it comes to when to present the gift to the labor and delivery nurse, you have several options.
😊 Partner Presented Present
Labor is an intense time so you may decide for your partner to do the actual gifting.
Gifts can give a wide array of messages. Gratitude is one of them. They can also be misconstrued as flirting so if your partner is going to present the present, it’s advisable they do so while you’re in the room – even if you are preoccupied.
👫 Gifting Together
Many couples present the nurse his or her gift together – either during the labor process or after the baby is born. If your partner is active in the labor and delivery process, gifting together is nice. Talk about it and see what the two of you come up with.
The question remains though – when should the gift be given?
🕒 Timing is Everything
You don’t want to be gifting the nurse when the baby is coming.
That would be rather awkward for everyone concerned.
Some present the gift upon arrival to the labor and delivery ward or in the early stages of labor but what if he or she ends up being a horrible nurse during the course of their duties? Perhaps the ideal time is after the baby is born.
You can request to speak to the nurse once the baby is born and you are feeling like it and give it to them then. Or, if it’s your partner doing the presentation, they can do so as you are being wheeled into the delivery area.
📦 Thinking Outside the Box
It is common for a number of nurses to assist throughout labor and delivery. You’ll usually have a main nurse but that can change with each shift.
One excellent idea is to gift the team a group gift. You can add a note which nurse, nurses, or team it is for. Not only is this type of present inclusive, but you are also able to tend to it after the baby is born and things are more settled down.
If your labor lasts for more than one shift and one nurse, you may want to choose your favorite one or gift however many assisted you. Some gift the entire floor or the whole team.
Here are some great ideas for nurse gifts:
- Flowers: Caring and convenient, you can have flowers sent to one nurse or the whole team. If you conduct a search ahead of time, you’ll find some nurse themed bouquets that are perfect for the occasion.
- Candy: You can also send candy to one special nurse or the entire team who assisted you. Or, you might consider sending your partner or a friend or family member down to the gift shop to buy a box.
- Snack Basket: Whether you are including the whole floor or singling out your favorite nurse, long shifts mean hunger pangs are sure to strike. A thoughtful snack basket will be a welcome treat. You can purchase one premade or make one yourself prior to going into labor.
- Gift card: Gift cards are nice to give. Some nurses are struggling just like many others. Regardless of if you choose to gift a Walmart, Amazon, grocery store, eating establishment, or any other type of card, it’s a very practical gift.
- A Card: Don’t forget that sending a card goes a long way. It’s become a lost art so it is sure to be appreciated and since babies are quite expensive, you can show your appreciation without breaking the bank.
🎁 How Much Should I Spend on a Nurse’s Gift?
Of course, you’ll want to take your budget into consideration when deciding how much to spend on a nurse’s gift. If you are barely getting by, it wouldn’t be wise at all to spend much.
If you have it to spare, between $25 USD and $50 USD is a good range. You don’t want to overspend, even if money isn’t tight, because it might embarrass your nurse or appear you have an motive behind the gift.
🤔 When is Giving a Labor and Delivery Nurse Gift Appropriate?
Giving a gift to your labor and delivery nurse is always appropriate unless there’s a specific reason not to.
If the labor and delivery ward has a sign saying to please not gift the nurses, it may be of the question to do so.
If the nurse confides in you that she thinks your partner is flirting with her, not a good idea to gift her.
Aside from unusual circumstances such as those, it’s a caring act that shows you appreciate all her hard work dealing with you and the fact that she or he shared a special time in your life.
There’s certainly nothing that says you have to give your labor and delivery nurse a gift.
It’s a gesture that some do to show their appreciation, but many don’t do anything beyond thanking them – if they even think to do that given the intensity of the event. Go with your heart and you can’t go wrong.
Leave A Comment: