How do you thank your midwife?

[mameulah]

I am already more grateful to my midwife than I can even describe. She won't actually deliver our baby but she is just so kind. She says that if I like her then I will be do impressed by the midwives at the hospital. What is the etiquette, a box of chocolates? Somehow that doesn't seem enough, but what would? Any insight would be much appreciated.

I bought mine a box of chocolates and a bunch of flowers

Whatever you buy her, I heartily recommend writing a card or letter saying why exactly she has been so fantastic. Chocolates and flowers are lovely, but cards can be kept forever and written compliments on her practice will go down a treat in her appraisals.

I'm not a MW but I received a bottle of champagne from a patient once, and was more excited by the card that came with it to put in my portfolio!

Nice to hear you have had such a great MW.

I sent the MW from my DD's birth the biggest Thorntons hamper I could get on the internet for dedication above and beyond the call of duty! I agree with a thoughtful handwritten card, too.

A letter to her boss or the PCT would probably make her day, as well as choccies, nice smellies and/ or a lovely card.

We gave ours a bottle of champagne, a box of chocolates and a very heartfelt card. She delivered our first DD at home and we are eternally grateful.

It's always lovely to know that someone has felt well cared for and that you have made a difference to them. I particularly treasure the crds I have received from women, sometimes with a photo of them or the baby.

I keep mine and live looking back on them and remembering them and their families.

Should say cards and love, blooming phone

I gave chocolates and a lengthy thank you card to the two great midwives who came to my home birth. I wrote details about how helpful they were and the things that did that were good, and I included a few photos of me and my baby.

Thank you everyone, I guess the card part is the really important bit. I also really like the idea of writing to her boss.

For me the best gift is a pic of mum and baby (because babies on their own are all a bit, you know, similar?..) with a note or card. I keep them all.

I agree with a card and photo. We don't get many and I am a bit soppy and well up each time I do get something. Coffee, tea, chocolates biscuits are also welcomed as is a letter to the boss. Anything is encouraging to be honest. I received a letter from the gran of a woman recently, It was really busy and I apologised at the end of it that I had been in and out so much rather than in supporting her, they didn't seem to mind as much as I did and the letter saying that they really appreciated my care made my day!

I feel a bit that I never got around to sending a card to the lovely mw who delivered my dd although I did send an email to the head of midwifery to say how wonderful she was. Dd is 7 months now, do you think its too late to send a card and pictures now?

cbeebiesatemybrain

I don't at all think it is too late to send the card. The other thing you could do is print a copy of the email you sent to your mw's boss and enclose it in the card. If I was you I would definitely do it, and she of all people will understand why it has taken you a wee minute or two to get round to it.

I once got a letter several months after delivering an unexpectedly growth retarded baby. Although healthy, he was so skinny and strange looking (i'm afraid his parents did nickname him Gollum?). It was lovely to see him all chubby later.

Thoughtful cards are always treasured. I have kept all of mine and it's lovely to look back on them.

And a letter to the head of midwifery at her hospital would be amazing - someone did this for me once and it was just brilliant.

Cards are always welcome, I have cards going back to 1993 which I treasure, along with photos of the babies.

Another vote for writing to the head of midwifery as it will be fed back to her. Say what it is you have liked about this midwife.

I've had flowers, chocolates, Champagne etc but it's the cards I treasure.

I wrote a letter to the unit naming all the midwives who'd been marvellous and added some suggestions for improvements to their system to make future stays easier.

Also gave 3 midwives a bottle of champers.

Next time I will write detailed thank you cards to the MWs