Gift idea for pregnant friend in hospital

[aristocatz]

My friend from work just called me & she is in the hospital. She is 26 weeks pregnant and yesterday there were some complications. She is stable, but she is on 24/7 monitoring in the hospital & trying to keep the baby in as long as possible-best case scenario, she will remain in the hospital for at least 4 more weeks before she delivers. Baby is only 1 pound and there is a chance that the baby may not make it I am so sad for her. I'm not sure its a good time for visitors, besides close family.

I wanted to send her something to let her know I'm thinking of her, but I'm not sure what to send? I'm guessing flowers are not allowed. She is diagnosed preclampsia, so sending food is not a good idea. I definitely do not want to send her anything baby-related.

Any suggestions?

Thanks~

 

[DisneyOma]

Books - or if she has an e-reader a gift card to download some new things to read. Magazines, puzzle books, anything to keep her busy. Pick the books carefully though - when I was hospitalized for over a month for a pregnancy complication a nurse gave me a book that had a baby dying in it!

 

[DLgal]

Why would flowers not be allowed? I would send some to brighten up the room.

 

[aristocatz]

Why would flowers not be allowed? I would send some to brighten up the room.

I think she is in the neonatal unit & I'm guessing, due to the sensitivity of the babies, they wouldn't allow flowers.

 

[disneyhand]

Make a thoughtful gift or tote bag for her with an assortment of things like a comfy fleece throw, warm fuzzy socks, chap stick, lotion, an insulated cup with lid and straw, some magazines (even used are fine), crossword puzzles, breath mints, small mirror and depending on her hair style some hair ties or a head band. I've been thru this too much recently with friends and family and like to adjust the content items based on their likes and needs. Also since she'll be there for a while, she may really appreciate visits from you to break up the boredom. Offer, but tell her to be honest.

 

[disneyhand]

Why would flowers not be allowed? I would send some to brighten up the room.

My daughter's boyfriend was recently hospitalized in the ICU and then a regular room and couldn't have flowers in either room. I'm not truly sure why

 

[aristocatz]

Thank you! I ended up buying her Netflix account, so she can watch positive movies & pass the time. Just texted her with the info & she is really grateful. My heart aches for her. I might also start up a collection at work. I'm guessing money is going to be a real struggle with her being out of work for the next few weeks.

 

[mnrose]

This was a few years ago, but I was hospitalized for 53 consecutive days while pregnant with my twins (a long time by any measure). I appreciated, very much, when people would stop by to visit. The days are long and I was looking for anything to break the boredom. Crossword and puzzle books (if she enjoys that sort of thing) would be great. Books. Books on tape. Food, if it's permitted from outside. Hospital food is BORING and awful (generally speaking). I loved having a nice meal brought in from a neighboring restaurant. Heaven on earth. I still remember, very fondly, the premium ice cream bars that someone brought for me (I was preterm labor and adding weight was an order for me). Lotions. Chapstick. Warm slippers/socks.

Your friend's baby can do very well with just a bit more time. They gave me steroid shots that helped speed development of my babies' lungs. More than willing to bet they are doing this for your friend too.

Flowers were definitely permitted where I stayed.

But, really, the visits were the best. Especially with friends who would let me "be" with wherever my emotions were at that point. I would vacillate between scared to death, happy, excited, tearful. Friends who acknowledged that were the best.

 

[Kellydelly]

She would be on antenatal unit, so should be a private room where she can enjoy flowers. There are not usually babies on that unit, it is for moms who haven't delivered yet or came back with complications of delivery or other health issues. I work on a mother/baby post partum unit which is right next to antenatal (sometimes we have overflow delivered pts and their babies there, though). I would find out what kind of diet she can eat and bring her a treat. Hospital food can get old. She may also welcome a visit, but don't stay really long. And don't take any little kids with you. You would be surprised who shows up to visit pts on our unit and how long they stick around .

 

[Marchand63]

I think she is in the neonatal unit & I'm guessing, due to the sensitivity of the babies, they wouldn't allow flowers.

I was gonna suggest balloons- Thinking of you. Also was gonna suggest Amazon or Netflix but you beat me to it. Also does she have skype, that way you can visit if she wants to, if not she just won't pick up. That way you can gauge what she wants.

I hope your friend & baby do well

 

[Thing 1]

Another good idea would be an editable arrangement. As someone said, food can be awful and fruit should not be a problem.

 

[Gracie09]

Why isn't food a good idea? I had pre eclampsia and had no food restrictions. Pre-e has to do with the placenta. Diets don't effect it. If she is sentsitive to salt I wouldn't take her a Chinese food feast.

 

[DisneyOma]

She would be on antenatal unit, so should be a private room where she can enjoy flowers.

None of the rooms I was in were private, and I was in for 45 days.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Why isn't food a good idea? I had pre eclampsia and had no food restrictions. Pre-e has to do with the placenta. Diets don't effect it. If she is sentsitive to salt I wouldn't take her a Chinese food feast.

I was also pre eclamptic. High blood pressure would've resulted in an emergency delivery. I would bet the bank she is on a restrictive diet.

Prayers and good thoughts for your friend.

 

[Gracie09]

I was also pre eclamptic. High blood pressure would've resulted in an emergency delivery. I would bet the bank she is on a restrictive diet.

Prayers and good thoughts for your friend.

Right but that doesn't mean she's on a restricted diet. Like I said I would t bring her Chinese food or a Big Mac but there is no reason to be on a restricted diet. I was on bedrest for over ten weeks had high bp and protein and ended up with an emergency c-section due to the pre e combined with hellp causing my kidneys and liver to start to shut down and my body to stop making platelets but it had nothing to do with what I ate.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Right but that doesn't mean she's on a restricted diet. Like I said I would t bring her Chinese food or a Big Mac but there is no reason to be on a restricted diet. I was on bedrest for over ten weeks and ended up with an emergency c-section but it had nothing to do with what I ate.

I'm not a doctor or a nurse or anything, but I would guess that she is on a restrictive diet to help control her blood pressure, even though diet isn't the cause. No reason to make the situation worse.

 

[aristocatz]

I was also pre eclamptic. High blood pressure would've resulted in an emergency delivery. I would bet the bank she is on a restrictive diet.

Prayers and good thoughts for your friend.

I'm pretty sure she is on a restricted diet. I'm going to stay away from anything food related. She is experiencing other complications as well her & baby are in such delicate shape, I just wouldn't want to risk anything.

 

[MamaBelle4]

I'm pretty sure she is on a restricted diet. I'm going to stay away from anything food related. She & baby are in such delicate shape, I just wouldn't want to risk anything.

I know it probably won't provide much comfort but one of my dearest friends from high school delivered her baby in January when she was due in March. I'm not quite sure how early she was. Claire is now a rambunctious, smart and sweet 4 year old.

 

[Gracie09]

I'm not a doctor or a nurse or anything, but I would guess that she is on a restrictive diet to help control her blood pressure, even though diet isn't the cause. No reason to make the situation worse.

I would guess she is not because what you eat (with common sense) would not cause your bp to rise. It's not connected. The brewers diet doesn't work, it's not caused by eating unhealthy. It's not made worse by anything you eat. The only food guidance I was given was eat healthy most of the time and drink a ton of water.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My friend from work just called me & she is in the hospital. She is 26 weeks pregnant and yesterday there were some complications. She is stable, but she is on 24/7 monitoring in the hospital & trying to keep the baby in as long as possible-best case scenario, she will remain in the hospital for at least 4 more weeks before she delivers. Baby is only 1 pound and there is a chance that the baby may not make it I am so sad for her. I'm not sure its a good time for visitors, besides close family.

I wanted to send her something to let her know I'm thinking of her, but I'm not sure what to send? I'm guessing flowers are not allowed. She is diagnosed preclampsia, so sending food is not a good idea. I definitely do not want to send her anything baby-related.

Any suggestions?

Thanks~

Go see her!!! I was in the hospital for several weeks for pre term labor on the mag sulfate. My room was private. I think it depends on the hospital.