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Original poster

What can I send to cheer my lovely niece up?

35 replies

OnceWasBadEnough · 25/03/2019 20:42

My niece is going through an pregnancy. She has hyperemesis and it’s completely debilitating for her. It’s been every day since she conceived and just can’t do anything at all. She’s trying to stay positive but must be getting really fed up now bless her. I’d like to send her something to cheer her up. She’s such a lovely person who would be the first to make a gesture to others in a similar situation. I can only think of flowers but wondered if there’s anything else people can think of that I could send (i’m not local to her so needs to be something I can send). I’ve never been pregnant myself so can’t put myself completely in her shoes to think what would be appropriate. Any ideas/websites you can recommend? Thank you! Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
OnceWasBadEnough · 25/03/2019 20:42

Oops, I meant a difficult pregnancy

OP posts:
ICantFindAFreeNickName2 · 25/03/2019 20:46

When I was pregnant I loved using the Clarins body oil. It felt very luxurious & relaxing.

Solasum · 25/03/2019 20:48

Nice pyjamas or dressing gown

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DeadDoorpost · 25/03/2019 20:49

How far along is she? I'm currently in my 2nd Hyperemesis pregnancy so understand how she's feeling.

Food is a no-go, because anything and everything can set it off. Unless you know something she can eat and keep down, I'd avoid it. (And never mention ginger. Ginger doesn't help Hyperemesis at all, no matter what anyone else says otherwise)

I'd have appreciated a card with my sympathies, box set or film suggestions, or even book suggestions.

For me, flowers would have triggered my sickness as well as my sense of smell was ridiculously sensitive first time round. This time it's triggered by colour and movement Hmm

Not sure what else to suggest really besides genuine concern and well wishes for her. If she can get out and about, how about a trip to a show or something?

Nixen · 25/03/2019 20:49

There’s a fantastic company called ‘don’t buy her flowers’, they do lovely gift packages and you can tailor them. They have a pregnancy one too!

DeadDoorpost · 25/03/2019 20:50

Although nice pyjamas and a dressing gown sound just as good! (Nothing tight on the stomach though!)

Original poster
OnceWasBadEnough · 25/03/2019 20:53

Thank you. She’s 24ish weeks. She can’t get out and about really-plans things but then has to miss out last minute because she’s being sick again. She’s only young and is finding it so tough. Sad

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 25/03/2019 20:55

Not flowers or lotions!!!!! The slightest perfume made my sick when I had hyperemisis. I once had to text my neighbour to come and move the soap I could smell from bed!

I came on to say new PJs too.

Leeds2 · 25/03/2019 20:57

A magazine subscription.

Nice bubble bath.

RoomForMore · 25/03/2019 20:59

I'd second pj's and also Elemis Japanese Camelia oil. It doesn't smell of anything and is great. I also had HG for both my pregnancies and was able to use this.

DeadDoorpost · 25/03/2019 21:00

Is she on meds? If she can find a decent combination of antiemetics it can make all the difference. Pregnancy Sickness Support website can help her if her doctors refuse to.

There's a Hyperemesis thread in Pregnancy if you want more help. I'm sure the rest of the ladies there will have more suggestions based on their experiences.

Original poster
OnceWasBadEnough · 25/03/2019 21:06

Thanks all. Any recommendations for pyjamas then? Presumably I go for maternity ones? (Clueless!) Anywhere online where they might sell nice ones?

She has tried every medication under the sun it seems, including some which she could only be on a short time due to risks to the baby...eek! She keeps thinking somethjng’s worked and then it comes back with a vengeance.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 25/03/2019 21:06

What I would love in that situation would be for someone to book me a cleaner for a couple of hours. Can't beat a lovely spruced up house and I bet she hasn't the energy or inclination to be able to do anything.

I'm not one of the many MNer who would be offended by such a lovely gesture. There are lots of professionally offended people on here who would see this as some kind of criticism of their house, or a way of someone nosing through their things or probably one of several other ways to be offended, rather than the lovely, wonderful treat I would see it as. You would have to check first if she is a MNer or not Wink

Byebyefriend · 25/03/2019 21:10

Try frugi maternity nighties.

If you are close enough to go and help her with cleaning/clothes washing that would of helped me out a lot as I was so exhausted

ChilliMum · 25/03/2019 21:29

Oh you sound like a lovely aunt.
I had some like these:
www.vertbaudet.co.uk/maternity-nursing-loungewear-3-piece-kit-black?ProductId=008000009&FiltreCouleur=6579&t=1
Not the most stylish but so so comfy I loved them, i wore them all the way through the end of my pregnancy and then afterwards as they are adapted for breastfeeding too. Dd was an emergency c section and they were a life saver.

Otherwise I love the cleaner idea (if your niece wouldn't be offended), pregnancy nose had me convinced that my house was really smelly which only added to the sickness.

Last suggestion would be a netflix subscription, box set or something. Anything that would take my mind off the relentless nausea.

namechangedbutneedadvice · 25/03/2019 21:31

A Bearhug! Love them! bearhugsgifts.com/

Kylieemilyj · 25/03/2019 21:38

When i was suffering from morning sickness tbh all i wanted was to just sleep and to be comfortable... mine luckily went at 15 weeks though although we were a bit worried it would progress to HG. Perhaps send her comfy blankets, PJs, fluffy socks etc, like a little care package type thing. I wanted chocolate (although i think it made my sickness worse) but as others have said, food may not be a good idea unless you know shes craving something or there is somethin that makes her feel better/stops her being sick...

Serin · 25/03/2019 22:24

Magazines (with not many recipes in).
Bath foam/shower gel.

SospanFrangipan · 25/03/2019 22:38

I had some amazing maternity PJs from Bon Prix, hubby got them for Xmas for me, and they were super comfy and washed well too. Highly recommend!

MrsFrisbyMouse · 26/03/2019 07:59

Cashmere socks!

SummerHouse · 26/03/2019 08:04

I really like these joma jewelry bracelets. jomajewellery.com/
They have every message you could think of and easy to send.

GoGoGadgetGin · 26/03/2019 08:07

Second Frugi nightie, or a nice soft blanket to lie under, wrap round and it's easy to throw off when you run/waddle/crawl to be sick. The HG boards were what brought me to MN, I had a horrendous pregnancy and was sick 20+ times a day so l know how she feels!

sandytree · 26/03/2019 08:13

A lovely buscuiteers biscuit through the letterbox always makes me smile

NW2SW · 26/03/2019 08:24

Cashmere socks and a novel.

Backseatonthebus · 26/03/2019 08:26

I really wouldn't give her anything scented or food related. Both are likely to cause yet another throwing up session. I couldn't read much as the eye movement made me feel even worse, but pyjamas are a really good call. Or has she got one of those long pregnancy pillow/cushions? If not, that might be nice as presumably she's spending a long time lying down. You sound such a lovely auntie btw.