L&D Nurses...a comment and a question.

[Java_Wench]

Hi There,

I'm new to these forums, but I wanted to take a moment to say something to the L&D Nurses. :)

I'm a 38 year old mother of a 1 year old little girl, and I'm going back to school in June for nursing, and you L&D nurses are a major reason why. When I had my daughter a year ago (child #1 for me), I was amazed at the nurses. They were so kind, considerate, caring (got my sense of humor) and when my Molly was born, their faces just lit up with the same love I felt for her. It seemed she was never put down because if myself or a family member wasn't snuggling her, one of our nurses was. From the time I was told I was being admitted because my amnionic fluid was too low, to the time we said goodbye and headed home to begin a new life, the Nurses on the L&D floor were incredibly wonderful. I was blown away by them, and as it turns out, they were the final inspiration I needed to commit myself to something I'd been thinking about for a long time, going into nursing. So, thank you for all you do, every day. New moms might be shell-shocked and scatter-brained, but we remember and appreciate your wonderful caring natures. :redbeathe

So now, for your opinions on if you think this is okay. It's been a year since Molly was born, and I fully intended to send a thank you card to the L&D nurses where I had her. However, being a new, first time mom, my brains had taken a hiatus, and only recently returned to me. Do you all think it's too late to send a thank you card? With maybe a picture of Molly at birth and now at one? Or is it too late? I'd love for those nurses to know how much they meant to me, and how, with all their help and advice, I didn't feel too terrified to go home and care for that lil critter by myelf. What do you think?

Thanks so much for your time!

[shrtygrlash]

I'm so glad you had a wonderful experience! Well, Im a NICU RN but I know we love to get pictures and cards! It keeps us going! It's great to get good news, I'm sure the nurses would love to hear that you and your daughter are doing well and that they made your experience wonderful! We get pictures of children that are much older like 5 years old and many nurses remember the babies and moms! So I think it's a great idea to send them a card even if it's been a year and pictures are great!

[nyrnintx]

As an L&D/Mother Baby nurse, it is always nice to get a "progress report" on moms and babies no matter how long it's been. You should go ahead and send a card, I am sure they will love it. Best of luck in pursuing nursing.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I'm in agreement with those who say it's not too late. A then-and-now photo would be a fantastic idea! :) Nurses love to see how 'their' babies are doing.

My unit got a card last Christmas from one of our long-term high-risk antepartums five years later with a picture of the family and the sweet little girl who was in utero the last time we 'saw' her. So no, I'd say one year isn't too late! Best of luck and success to you in your career.

[klone, MSN, RN]

No, definitely not too late!

I've sometimes thought of sending a thank-you to the student nurse-midwife who was at my birth, as well as the lactation consultant who helped me, and that was 13 years ago.

[Java_Wench]

Thank you all so much for your replies! :)

I'm going to send them a card tomorrow. They might not remember me (except as a redhead with a bleeding issue lol) but hey...pictures of an adorable baby, who doesn't like that?

Thanks again!

[nurturing_angel]

I will bet some of the nurses remembered you and all of them were glad to get the card. It is nice to know you made someones hospital experience better. Thanks for the kind words.