Gifts for pregnant friend stuck in hospital? - UPDATED: Another ?

[kennancat]

Updated - Please check page 2

A friend of mine is experiencing complications with her pregnancy (24 weeks) and is in the hospital on bed rest until she delivers, hopefully not for another 4 to 6 weeks. She is not the type who's going to enjoy being stuck in bed all day. Any suggestions for stuff that I can bring her? I was thinking activities, reading material, etc. I called the hospital and they said she should have access to a VCR in her room and dial-up internet.

 

[hpygrll]

I can relate to this - although I was only in the hospital for 16 days on bed rest.

A laptop was a lifesaver - if the hospital allows - for emails etc. I read alot of books and magazines and watched a lot of movies.

I also had a lot of food...depending on her hospital - the food in mine stunk. So I had bread, peanut butter, crackers, cookies....the nurses used to come into my room for snacks that's how much I had.

Edited to add that some of my friends brought me really cute and comfy pjs/loungewear so I at least looked cute in bed. That was a real morale booster.

My heart goes out to her and I hope all goes well.
Jenny

 

[winniedapooh]

Food, movies, books, handheld game if she doesn not like gameboy perhaps Yatzeehandheld , baby thank-you's that she could write out address labels for, puzzle, notepaper, journal so she can write a note to her new bundle of joy about what she was thinking leading up to the birth...hth!

 

[HayGan]

A couple good books to read, a soduku puzzle book and - this one may sound funny but - a coloring book and crayons. I know lots of people who love to color (inlcuding me.) It can be very relaxing!

 

[punkin]

books; new magazines; deck of card for solitaire; a nice nightgown (or pjs) to maker her feel less like a human incubator. Call her as often as possible; go see her.

 

[Kae]

Word Seaches, Videos of tv shows like Sex in the city, 24 Disney Classics & such. If she can have out side food from her favorite place. And if she doen't have it the girl friends guide to pregnacy. Is she a WDW freak like normal folks then maybe a new guide book. You could also offer to give her a manicure.

Kae

 

[mommytotwo]

I like those items mentioned. How about making her a small scrapbook of her as she was pregnant, and then leave a bunch of pages for people to sign in. As they come to visit her, she can have them add something in it and she will be able to read them during her stay and remember all the kinds words.

When I am in the hospital, I love having fresh flowers.

Maybe when you visit her, you can bring her some slices fruits-melons, strawberries, peaches, grapes-or a fruit salad.

 

[mtemm]

I like those items mentioned. How about making her a small scrapbook of her as she was pregnant, and then leave a bunch of pages for people to sign in. As they come to visit her, she can have them add something in it and she will be able to read them during her stay and remember all the kinds words.

When I am in the hospital, I love having fresh flowers.

Maybe when you visit her, you can bring her some slices fruits-melons, strawberries, peaches, grapes-or a fruit salad.

these are great ideas! I was in and out of the hospital a lot when I had the twins and I craved fresh fruit so much, especially pineapple. If she doesn't have a fridge in her room, you might ask if she can use one at the nurses station and bring her fruit and other things she might be missing. hospital food gets OLD quickly.

I wish her well. I was on bedrest with both of my pregnancies and it can be very scary and very boring. I read tons...tv gets old quickly, or at least it did for me. if you have some books she might be interested in, that would be good, or even offer to go to the library for her once a week or something like that. that would have been a dream come true for me.

 

[KAMommy]

A very good friend of mine spent six weeks in the hospital like this. She is several states away, so I couldn't visit, but I sent about two cards a week. The kicker was I took them around to all of the girls in my office (who had been informed of the situation and had her on prayer lists) and had them sign the cards. She told me later how much it meant to hear good thoughts and prayers from people she had never met.

 

[N.Bailey]

I'd think any books or magazines that she'd be interested in would be more than welcome. You could also get those search a word or crossword puzzle books if she likes those. Some sort of walkman would probably be welcome. You can get a personal cd player that plays MP3s pretty cheap (or an IPOD if you want to spend that amount of money). If you got a personal cd player, you could burn over 100 songs on 1 cd for her to listen to if you get one that plays mp3s. I'd also say a laptop if you can lend her one to use. I'm sure that's cost prohibitive if you don't already have one though.

Edit: and a phone card might be nice. I'd find out what the hospital's policy is, but when hubby was in a few years ago, he needed them to make calls.

 

[Hannathy]

Being a craft person I suggest something to do with her hands, a learn to knit or crochet kit if she doesn't already if she does how about baby yarn, a baby pattern and the correct needles, a cross stitch kit, If she doesn't do any of this get a latch hook and kit this is super simple to learn and addictive. my elderly uncle taught himself this while recuperating from hip surgery and loved it.

 

[junebug05]

When one of my friends was in the hospital for the same thing, I had a manicurist come in and give her a manicure and pedicure. This was several years ago so I can't remember the exact cost. I called the hospital and found out if it was OK and then I called local nail shops until I found someone who would come there and do it. She loved it and it really took her mind off of what she was going through.

 

[SleepyMom]

I spent 6 weeks in the hospital on bedrest with youngest DD, so I know how the days can get long and boring. A few weeks before I ended up in the hospital I had bought a cross-stitch kit to make for a baby, I had no idea how to cross-stitch, but thought I would have the time. I taught myself and really enjoyed the busywork, it helped occupy my hands and mind. I also loved to read... books, magazines, whatever I could get my hands on. Snacks are also a great idea. I kept the top drawer available for that Hand held games are also a nice distraction. I was in during December, so I also used the time to get all my Christmas cards ready. Best wishes for your friend!

Forgot to add... a journal to write in for the baby. I wrote in one daily about everything that was going on, you don't think you can ever forget that time, but it does happen so I am glad to have that to go back to and read.

 

[janette]

If she can do DVD's a subscription to Netflix or Blockbuster. She could get movies or TV series that she hasn't seen yet. Probably couldn't be delivered to the hospital but hopefully she has someone who would be able to deliver them when they arrive. Portable DVD players are not very expensive.

 

[kennancat]

Thanks for all your ideas - I'll definitely take advantage of them!

 

[luvdzne]

I spent the last 4 weeks of my pregnancy with DD11, before that I was on complete bedrest at home for 20 weeks. What I wanted most was dinners brought from the outside, some of my favorite snacks, magazines, movies, hand held games, real pj's, good smelling lotion, most of all I appreciated all the company I could get. While the nurses tried their best to make me feel good, it wasn't the same as family or friends visiting. I did find it hard to concentrait on things for very long so I couldn't really get into any good books.

Also, if she has internet, one of the best support systems while I was on bedrest was from Sidelines. It is a wonderful support group for high risk pregnancys. It was very helpful for me! I'm not sure if I can post the website address, but if you do a search for Sidelines National Support Network you will find it. I highly recommend Sidelines for any mom to be dealing with a high risk pregnancy.

Sending her good

 

[Disney_1derland]

Hope it goes well and she gets her 4-6 weeks! Books of Sudoku puzzles are widely available and highly addictive. If you think she'd like puzzles, they're a good way to pass some time. A blank journal so she can write if she's so inclined, never anything to write on in the hospital. And, stop by and bring her things she's craving! My best friend was in the hospital for 6 weeks with her first pregnancy and she was dying for root beer. I was the root beer delivery queen!

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

nice lotion, nail file, nail polish, lip gloss. Books, movies, tabloids!

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Hi I can relate 5 weeks inhouse here!

There are certain things I really appreciated while I was there.

Number one my own body wash, shampoo deodorant, toothpaste tc... Sounds silly but made a big differance.

I also used my own pillow and pillowcase from home. I got a cheap twin comforter think Walmart 20 bucks? there are no blankets just the thin sheet type blanket inhouse. My Mom took it home on Saturday and it was returned washed on Sunday.

Clean white socks, Lots of them!!!

I also used lts of books!! And a friend brought a journal, which I love looking at now. I used it every day and its a great record of my itme there and all the vitals on my twins are written down as well.
My husband brought me the supper of my choice every week night. which was great. That could be fun see if she wants somthing special and bring it in and have dinner with her!

 

[m&m's mom]

3 weeks here but the kicker was....I was upside down. OK, I add that for dramatic effect. Hospital beds actually tilt significantly backwards so your feet are definitely higher than your head. I was like this unable to move, except once a week they would tilt me sideways so they could change the sheets. I was dialated to a 6 at 20 weeks and DD was trying to fall out. Thank God I had membranes of steel (I know, I know TMI).
I, personally was terrified I was going to lose my baby and so I just stared at the ceiling for 3 weeks. The TV was out of my line of sight because I was tilted back, could not read upside down etc...
I like the manicure and pedicure option but try to gauge how your friend is feeling. This day and age they only keep you in the hospital if home bedrest is not an option, i.e. you are in a very precarious situation.
Just thought of a great idea I could have done - books on tapes. Hope is was not already mentioned. That would have been perfect for me. Dang, thought of it 9 years too late.