services for antepartum moms...suggestions?

An extensive library of books? Sometimes just sitting with the patient and sharing lunch is mcu sought after. Just a thought

Book cart with bestsellers as well as parenting books, snack trays, puzzle books, mani/pedi services, someone to help with hair care for those who have to remain abed?

I would recommend therapeutic massage. Having been on bedrest for 14 weeks, much of that time in the hospital, I can attest to the aches and pains caused by long stretches in uncomfortable hospital beds.

Please stop short of "spa services" though. I know of one hospital that offers manicures, facials, etc., and has created an atmosphere where the nurses are expected to make nursing care "fit in" around the patient's other "obligations".

I second the theraputic massages. We have a couple of massage therapists who offer 1 hour for $25, which is a great deal. I agree that the "spa" stuff isn't usually appropriate, but having someone in who can offers to cut and style hair at a resonable price is a good idea. Getting your hair done always helps you feel better.

Computer access, or a wireless computer network is a great idea also.

We have a book cart that we keep on our unit specifically for that purpose. Staff contributes to it from our personal supply, and we also have a line in the budget (I think) for a small number of books.

Also cheap access to puzzle books - I have been amazed at the number of moms who get totally addicted to Sudoku.

I don't know if you guys do PT consults but we do that for all our mamas on bedrest - sometimes just having an eggcrate on their otherwise uncomfortable hospital mattress makes the difference between a good night's rest or not. And PT can do massages too, at least at our hospital.

Great ideas, all.

Books, magazines, good snacks, internet, DVD's, good cable, a family friendly place with toys if other children come to visit, handheld games, puzzles, radios and/or CD players.

Hair care for those that can't get out of bed would be nice and maybe some finger/toe services but I would probably stop there as well.

I know our hospital provides free wireless access and in-room TV/DVD combos (with available movies to borrow).

We happen to have education classrooms right around the corner from our antepartum unit. We've had several baby showers in the classrooms or on the unit (depending on condition of mom).

We do baby showers too.

What about having a stock of yummy smelling bath gels and lotions? The moms that have been in the hospital for so long and don't have access to those things would probably appreciate them.

Other than what has been mentioned already, can't think of anything else. I would have loved to have had a mani/pedi while I was in the hospital as well as a massage as I had horrid headaches. I trimmed my own fingernails as I was waiting for my c-section with my last baby (29w3d r/t pPROM/severe preeclampsia) and my mom was scared that I was going to cut my fingers off as I was so dizzy and my vision was so blurry (the mag didn't help the already blurry vision ).