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Original poster

Gift for new mum, traumatic birth

27 replies

MayDaze · 31/05/2022 20:22

... and she's still in hospital (baby well but she's been through hell)

I'm very close to her, I'm not visiting because she doesn't need that right now but I want to send "something" to the ward for her.

Any ideas? (flowers aren't allowed).

Thanks

OP posts:
Barleysugar86 · 31/05/2022 20:24

Card... magazines... maybe a cute cuddly toy for the baby.

Nursingbride · 31/05/2022 20:28

Lovely thought. Mother of 3 month old here. Not a traumatic birth but the very best presents I received after he was born were food or vouchers for food! Home cooked meal she can put in the freezer or vouchers from “Cook” or other healthy ready meals. Or a month’s supply of cereal bars and biscuits!

sunscreenandsaltwater · 31/05/2022 20:30

Nice things that she can use. A little nail set with a file (my nails were disgusting when I was in hospital with my little one). Some lovely muslins - the bigger ones are great with newborns. Some "my expert midwife" stuff - they've got a fairly big range now.

My friend made me up a toiletries bag of mini things - toothpaste, shower gel, miceller water - but all gorgeous branded stuff I wouldn't buy as a bigger size. I loved it!

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Original poster
MayDaze · 31/05/2022 20:30

Thanks both

I've bought the baby stuff and made him a few bits too.

It was just so something to help her through yet more time in hospital (she's been in a week). I like the idea of vouchers though, there's a Costa in the hospital and cake is always helpful in times of crisis isn't it! Plus it's no extra for her to take home.

OP posts:
Original poster
MayDaze · 31/05/2022 20:31

sunscreenandsaltwater · 31/05/2022 20:30

Nice things that she can use. A little nail set with a file (my nails were disgusting when I was in hospital with my little one). Some lovely muslins - the bigger ones are great with newborns. Some "my expert midwife" stuff - they've got a fairly big range now.

My friend made me up a toiletries bag of mini things - toothpaste, shower gel, miceller water - but all gorgeous branded stuff I wouldn't buy as a bigger size. I loved it!

I like the idea of a nice bag of toiletries! Thanks

OP posts:
Amei · 31/05/2022 20:32

A new pair of pajamas!

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 31/05/2022 20:33

A really nice smelling hand cream, body cream and lip balm. Hospitals are hot and dry and smell horrible so having something to relieve the dry skin and lips and that smells fresh and beautiful is a welcome relief.

Greatoutdoors · 31/05/2022 20:33

Chocolate and lovely biscuits!

HollyBollyBooBoo · 31/05/2022 20:33

Will she be in hospital for long? I think I'd prefer something when I got out of hospital to be honest.

florianfortescue · 31/05/2022 20:34

Hospital food notoriously sucks so I'd probably send her some homemade snacks - flapjacks, trail mix, stuff like that, or a fruit basket. Some nice eau de cologne would be a lovely addition too. Nuxe do some good ones I think.

RyanAirVeteran · 31/05/2022 20:35

Hand cream, I never realised how precious those two minutes when you couldn't possibly do anything were, until I needed them.

Ditto DH coming in from work and chucking DC (nicely) at him and being grateful to be in the kitchen cooking with a glass of wine and my own head space. Cook is probably the best of them but if some one had brought around the fresh ingredients frozen I would have been thrilled.

Softly fried onions, ditto peppers, ditto garlic, semi browned mince, blanched chicken portions. I am no cook but to me I felt like I was still in control of one part of my life.

Possibly just me, but just an idea.

DarlingDarwin · 31/05/2022 20:36

A Costa voucher that she can use in the hospital is a fantastic idea. Snacks for the ward are good as getting hold of food between doctors assessments can be patchy.

Offer to visit, she may want you there. Even if you meet her at the Costa (if she can get there).

Nursingbride · 31/05/2022 20:36

Yes a Costa card is a lovely idea if you’d like something for while she’s in hospital. Cake is essential postpartum!! Ooh yes or some lovely soft pjs (button down if she’s breastfeeding). I got some new ones when I was home from hospital and they worked wonders at making me feel less grim.

I guess it varies but I thought the hospital food was actually pretty decent where I was!

LittleAvocet · 31/05/2022 20:37

The best thing anyone brought me when I had a newborn was a cooked supermarket pizza that I still think of fondly. It tasted amazing as I got to eat it hot while my friend held my babySmileSmile

LittleAvocet · 31/05/2022 20:39

Sorry just seen it's to send. I'd still consider a pizza tbh!

Leggingslife · 31/05/2022 20:41

Molton brown shower gel

2bazookas · 31/05/2022 20:42

Some facial wipes and some intimate wipes.

Dundonian · 31/05/2022 20:44

Nivea cream, the one in the blue tub. It's very warm in hospital and a nice moisturiser will help stop her skin drying out. Great for face, hands, legs arms.

aSofaNearYou · 31/05/2022 20:45

Food, if you're allowed it. My appetite came flooding back after not being able to eat during my traumatic labour.

2bazookas · 31/05/2022 20:45

A nice card. Inside the card, a list of some home-made meals for two that you have made and frozen for her and her DH, They are in your freezer but her DH can come and collect befopre she gets home.

Gingermoth · 31/05/2022 20:49

After my hideous birth I craved lovely boiled sweets, especially m&s buttermints

abblie · 31/05/2022 21:01

Flowers and jammies x

SparkyBlue · 31/05/2022 21:10

I remember a friend dropping in really nice chocolates and Clarins hand cream. I was in for 11 nights after the birth so I really appreciated it. Another fabulous friend gave me some lovely l'Occitaine stuff on my last baby. Again really appreciated. Also I remember a friend dropped in some books and magazines which was great . Nice PJs or a comfy dressing gown would be nice as well. My sister dropped in gorgeous Bakewell tarts one day which were amazing with my tea. Also I appreciated getting texts while I was in hospital as it was a very weird time being so unwell after a baby .

Original poster
MayDaze · 31/05/2022 21:12

Thank you everyone, brilliant ideas! I know she prepped meals before going in (and I wouldn't inflict my cooking on her 😂) so she's sorted for that. I'll get the Costa card for hospital and some nice pj's with smellies for when she's home.

OP posts:
MarmiteCoriander · 31/05/2022 21:14

Cousin had a traumatic MC after she developed listeria. She lost the baby at 20 weeks and nearly lost her own life too. Flowers not allowed either. I found a company which made floral displays out of small balloons. She said it was bright and happy and made her smile- as it was the only colourful thing in a bland ITU/HDU.

If you want a more tangible gift, I agree with hand cream, face cream and/ or lip balm. Hospitals have air con which is very drying to the skin. It also depends if she is mobile or still in ITU hooked up?
A flannel which she could ask staff to wet for her fresher her face and hands.

Deodorant
Eye mask and ear plugs
Body shop used to do a little lavender stick with a roller at the end to roll on the temples and help you sleep
Nice dressing gown
Slippers