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There are a lot of admirable careers, but nurses who help deliver babies probably deserve some of the top spots. That’s why so many expectant moms and dads find themselves wondering whether they should be purchasing gifts for labor & delivery nurses.
Let’s think about it for a moment – childbirth is no easy feat, and for most of us moms, we’re not in the best frame of mind throughout the process.
AKA, we might put our labor and delivery team through hell! So sorry, y’all!
All the while, though, these nurses stand by like saints as we yell, scream and beg them for a five-minute break when it’s finally time to start pushing (or was that just me?)
If you’re wondering whether thank you gifts for labor and delivery nurses are allowed, or you’re trying to figure out what to get, our community has the answers you need. There are definitely rules around gifts for L&D nurses, and while they aren’t at all necessary, they definitely can be appreciated.
We’ve narrowed down the best options if you want to bring a gift to your birthing team.
Are you allowed to buy Gifts for Nurses on your delivery team?
Before diving into the who, what, when, where, and why of gifts for labor and delivery nurses, it’s essential to answer a straightforward question:
Are they even allowed to accept gifts from patients?
The answer is…it depends.
Tipping isn’t legal, which means you can’t give your nurse cash, and usually similar rules apply for gift cards.
But small, physical tokens of appreciation are usually fine. Just check your particular hospital’s policy on this type of thing if you’re concerned.
Call your local hospital or reach out to fellow moms who have recently delivered there to find out whether thank you gifts for the labor and delivery team are acceptable.
3 reasons you should think about doing Labor and Delivery Nurse Gifts
Let’s get one thing straight – there’s no reason you HAVE to purchase a gift for your birthing team. We have tons of amazing L&D nurses in our network and we can tell you with certainty that none of them do this job for the small gifts they might get.
Also, they don’t expect gifts at all.
But if you want to show how much you appreciate them, a small gift is always an excellent way to say, “Hey, thanks for putting up with my crazy ass while I pushed this watermelon-sized creature out of my vagina!”
If you’re on the fence about whether you want to buy gifts for your nurses, consider these three reasons it might be a good idea:
- Your labor and delivery nurses work hard for you throughout your entire childbirth experience. In reality, you’ll spend more time with them than your actual doctor.
- Nurses spend long, hard hours at the hospital – often without receiving any gratitude for the extraordinary job they do.
- Your nurses are your advocates throughout labor and delivery. If, for example, you’re writing a birth plan or trying to figure out how to naturally handle those active labor contractions, your nurses will be the ones to help you have the birth experience you’re dreaming of.
When Should You Give Them Their Gifts?
When it comes to figuring out when to give your labor and delivery nurse a gift, nthere’s really no right or wrong answer.
Some parents choose to give their birthing team gifts right from the start. This is a good idea if it’s food best enjoyed while it’s fresh. In other cases, new moms and dads might wait until the deed is over and their little one is wrapped safely in their arms.
Not sure if you actually want to give thank you gifts to your labor and delivery nurses?
There’s no rule saying it has to be done while you’re in the hospital. For instance, after my second daughter’s birth, I hadn’t planned on bringing gifts for my labor and delivery nurses.
When everything was over, though, I was incredibly grateful to the nurses who’d helped with my delivery. She was honestly my savior during the process, and I wanted to let her know how much I appreciated her, so I sent a small gift to the hospital after we got home.
Are snacks good Nurse Gift Ideas?
Okay, let’s spout off some truth – most people love food. Showing up with cookies, coffee, or sharing a fruit tray or pizza for the whole nursing staff is certainly a thoughtful gesture that people will appreciate. You can’t go wrong.
But there is one issue we like to point out here, and it leads us to a really great potential option for an L&D nurse gift. Different people have different dietary preferences, allergies, restrictions, etc.
So instead of showing up with food for your nurse (which, still, it’s a gorgeous gesture if you do), why not ask if they want something when someone brings food in?
You know how people are always asking how they can help when baby is being born? Instead of having too many people in your delivery room, why not assign someone the task of picking up some food that can be enjoyed in-room, and ask your nurse if they’d like anything?
The nurses we know love that thoughtful gesture, and even if they say no, they know you cared.
The Best Gifts for Nurses!
So, now that you know why thank you gifts for labor and delivery nurses are a thoughtful idea, you’re probably wondering what to buy.
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite products and ideas for the best gifts for labor and delivery nurses!
1. Sweatshirt: It’s A Beautiful Day in the Laborhood
We love a good, comfy sweatshirt, and this one is just beyond adorable. I almost wish I were an L&D nurse just so I could wear it.
The colors and font are precious, and it adds a flare fo brightness to any day. We highly recommend this gift for L&D nurses!
2. Labor & Delivery Nurse Survival Kit
Who doesn’t love a good survival kit-type present? Whether it’s a new mom survival kit or a postpartum recovery kit, these types of gifts are always a popular option. That’s why a nurse survival kit is a great idea if you’re looking for gifts for labor and delivery nurses.
While you can put all sorts of different things in these types of kits, here are some of our top picks:
- Cosmetic Bags
- Hair Ties or Scrunchies
- Ink Pens
- Candy
- Hand Sanitizer
- Lip Balm
3. Funny Nurse Mugs
Maybe you’ve heard of “funny mom mugs,” but did you also know there’s an impressive collection of funny nurse mugs that are sure to tickle the funny bone of your labor and delivery team?
Fill one of these with some candy or other snacks for your labor and delivery nurses for a complete gift.
4. Hand Repair Set
Think about how much time nurses spend washing their hands, wearing gloves, and using hand sanitizer on any given day – it’s no wonder many of them suffer from annoying dry skin and cracked hands.
Why not give them a soothing Burts Bees hand repair cream set? Not only is this an affordable gift for labor and delivery nurses, but it’s also basic enough that any nurse is sure to love it.
5. It’s a Beautiful Day to Catch Babies Keychain
This adorable keychain from Etsy is one of the best gifts for labor and delivery nurses.
Not only does it feature a beautiful design, but it also comes in various colors and finishes to fit your style wants and needs.
6. Badge Reel
Badge reels are a pretty standard addition to most nursing uniforms. If it’s something your nurses are going to be wearing anyway, it might as well be a cute one!
These rhinestone badge reels from Etsy come in a wide variety of different styles and themes. Whether you’re looking for a thank you gift for labor and delivery nurses that’s sweet or funny, this shop has you covered.
7. Nurse-Themed Jewelry
Who wouldn’t love a beautiful, new necklace or bracelet?
If you’re interested in giving your labor team a piece of nursing-related jewelry, there are plenty of great options online.
8. Personalized L&D Nurse Jar
Check out the reviews on this baby (pun intended!) and you’ll see how many nurses LOVE this adorable tracker jar!
This personalized jar is a super cute way to help nurses keep track of how many babies they’ve caught! What a great visual for a sense of accomplishment at the end of a hard shift!
What about a Labor and Delivery Nurse Gift Basket?
We love gift baskets for basically all types of gifts because they feel robust and the different elements that go into them are so thoughtful. So of course we love a good gift basket as a gift for your favorite L&D nurse.
Here, we’ll walk you through some premade options and, and in the next section, we’ll cover DIY tips so you can create the perfect gift basket for your budget & desires!
Here are a few of our favorite options that are already ready to go!
1. Nurse’s Herbal Tea Gift Basket to Help Them Unwind
Filled with simple little delicacies like herbal tea and honey, this simple, earthy gift box will help your favorite L&D nurse breathe a big sigh of relief at the end of a long day.
We love the simplicity of this thoughtful, affordable option!
2. Relaxation Kit Nurse’s Gift Basket
If you’re interested in something a little more indulgent, these “Nurse” relaxation gift boxes from Etsy might be the ideal option.
This kit by Dear Ava includes various relaxing products, such as candles, bath bombs, and lip balm.
What goes in a nurses gift basket for labor and delivery?
When creating a gift basket for a labor & delivery nurse, you want to think about two things:
- What do they actually need?
- What’s a sweet little indulgence?
Because they work very physically demanding jobs, the fun thing here is that most of those little indulgences could also be categorized as things they actually need! Think things that will support relaxation, sore backs and feet, or dehydrated hands from constant washing.
If you want to create your own custom gift basket for labor & delivery nurses, here are a few simple items we love to include!
1. L&D Stickers
Stickers are great because they can be used anywhere.
From putting them on her laptop to make work look a bit more fun to tossing them on her favorite cup or mug to make it cheerier, these stickers are a great, simple addition to your favorite labor & delivery nurse’s gift basket!
2. Baby Nurse Headband
Nurse’s practically live in headbands, and you know they love cute ones that make expecting parents excited to see their nurse come in the room.
We love the precious little baby feet adorning this cute headband!
3. Personalized L&D Nurse Tote
When creating a gift basket for a labor & delivery nurse, why not marry fun with function and put all the items in a personalized tote bag?
Grab this precious bag, then fill it with simple items like:
Do labor and delivery nurses like thank you baskets?
While giving a gift to your labor & delivery nurse is never required, or even expected, of course your nurse would appreciate a thank you basket if you choose to give one.
Being an L&D nurse is a hard profession–a literal labor or love–so any nurse will be thankful to receive a thoughtful token of your appreciation.
Thoughtful Nurse Gifts Labor and Delivery are a sweet gesture
The labor team at your chosen hospital is going to play a significant role in the birth of your child. Offering thank you gifts for labor and delivery nurses is a great way to acknowledge the care they’re providing.
From snacks for labor and delivery nurses to survival kits, any of these gifts are sure to be a bright spot in the day of your team.
Best Gift for Nurses FAQs
On average, an expectant mother will work with 2 – 3 labor and delivery nurses throughout her birthing experience. Keep in mind that if you end up laboring in the hospital for an extended period, you could have more.
If you’re worried about having enough gifts for each nurse, you could always provide one large snack tray or something similar for the labor and delivery floor to share.
When coming up with a gift for a nurse, think of practical things she can use that will also bring a bit of joy. Water bottles, coffee mugs, and headbands are always cute, simple options!
While you being happy with your care during labor is really the best thank you possible for a labor and delivery nurse, they’ll always appreciate any tokens of gratitude. Whether a simple card or an elaborate gift basket, your nurse will feel loved with whatever token of gratitude you offer.
If you’ve had a baby before, did you bring gifts for the labor and delivery nurses? If so, what did you give them?
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Kristen Bergeron is a freelance writer from Florida. In addition to writing, she is a wife, mother of two beautiful girls, Hadley and Scarlett, and a part-time photographer. After overcoming infertility and having two successful IVF cycles, she’s made it a personal goal to help educate men and women on the realities of fertility struggles. She is passionate about supporting fellow women who are trying to navigate the complicated world of conception, pregnancy, and learning to be the best mothers we can be.
Katy Huie Harrison, PhD, is an author, mom, recurrent miscarriage survivor, & owner of Undefining Motherhood. She lives in Atlanta with her husband (affectionately known on the internet as “Husband,”) son (Jack), and dog (Charlotte). She believes our society puts too many expectations on women that make womanhood and motherhood restrictive. Her goal is to shift the paradigm about what it means to be a woman and mother, giving all women a greater sense of agency over their own lives. You can find Katy and her work featured in places like CNN’s Headline News, Romper, Scary Mommy, Demeter Press’s Motherhood and Social Exclusion, & more.
