OB "Goodie" Bags for Moms

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

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serenity1

266 Posts

Specializes in labor & delivery.

We used to send the bag from the formula companies with formula, coupons, butt salve samples and a cold pack for carrying formula. We have recently removed all those from the hospital and all the new family gets is a tote bag with our hospital logo on it and their baby. We do not give out pacifiers, shirts or blankets. No one has complained.

Specializes in Obstetrics.

Vera Bradley diaper bags???? Where is this hospital?!?!? Dang!!

Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

I understand the PP's that say it shouldn't be necessary to give out goodie bags to new parents, but often it is helpful for the hospital.

OB patients can be more selective about their hospital than perhaps any other patient. Very few other patients get the option of touring their unit prior to being admitted. Let's face it- many new parents are much more concerned about the amenities they will get during delivery than the medical care they will receive.

"Double rooms? No way am I going there," says one mom.

"Flat screen TV's in each room? I love this place," says a dad.

"Post delivery massage? Let's come here!" says a mom.

"Steak dinner for the parents before we leave? Sounds great!" says a dad.

"This hospital gives out a diaper bag full of diapers, wipes, formula, and pacifiers when we leave? I want to go here!" says a mom.

See what I mean? One of the first things pregnant women think about is where they will deliver their baby. The next thought is what kind of perks they will get for delivering there. True, some women already have an OB and choose to deliver where their doctor has privileges. Others choose based on the c-section rate, the availability of a NICU, etc. But many choose an OB-GYN who has privileges at the hospitals they have already researched and want to deliver at. And their choice is probably more likely based on the amenities than the medical reputation.

Fyreflie

189 Posts

I understand the PP's that say it shouldn't be necessary to give out goodie bags to new parents, but often it is helpful for the hospital.

OB patients can be more selective about their hospital than perhaps any other patient. Very few other patients get the option of touring their unit prior to being admitted. Let's face it- many new parents are much more concerned about the amenities they will get during delivery than the medical care they will receive.

"Double rooms? No way am I going there," says one mom.

"Flat screen TV's in each room? I love this place," says a dad.

"Post delivery massage? Let's come here!" says a mom.

"Steak dinner for the parents before we leave? Sounds great!" says a dad.

"This hospital gives out a diaper bag full of diapers, wipes, formula, and pacifiers when we leave? I want to go here!" says a mom.

See what I mean? One of the first things pregnant women think about is where they will deliver their baby. The next thought is what kind of perks they will get for delivering there. True, some women already have an OB and choose to deliver where their doctor has privileges. Others choose based on the c-section rate, the availability of a NICU, etc. But many choose an OB-GYN who has privileges at the hospitals they have already researched and want to deliver at. And their choice is probably more likely based on the amenities than the medical reputation.

That's really unfortunate :( all I gotta say is yay for my socialist healthcare system! I don't think I'll ever wrap my head around the idea of treating a hospital like a business.

Stephalump

2,723 Posts

Specializes in Forensic Psych.
I understand the PP's that say it shouldn't be necessary to give out goodie bags to new parents, but often it is helpful for the hospital.

OB patients can be more selective about their hospital than perhaps any other patient. Very few other patients get the option of touring their unit prior to being admitted. Let's face it- many new parents are much more concerned about the amenities they will get during delivery than the medical care they will receive.

"Double rooms? No way am I going there," says one mom.

"Flat screen TV's in each room? I love this place," says a dad.

"Post delivery massage? Let's come here!" says a mom.

"Steak dinner for the parents before we leave? Sounds great!" says a dad.

"This hospital gives out a diaper bag full of diapers, wipes, formula, and pacifiers when we leave? I want to go here!" says a mom.

See what I mean? One of the first things pregnant women think about is where they will deliver their baby. The next thought is what kind of perks they will get for delivering there. True, some women already have an OB and choose to deliver where their doctor has privileges. Others choose based on the c-section rate, the availability of a NICU, etc. But many choose an OB-GYN who has privileges at the hospitals they have already researched and want to deliver at. And their choice is probably more likely based on the amenities than the medical reputation.

While I have put a lot of thought into the hospitals I've delivered in, I can honestly say goody bags have have never even entered my mind, and it isn't anything I've ever heard mentioned by any other mother, either.

BUT, I've never gotten anything amazing. If I had, I'd probably be super excited and spread the word, and maybe even choose that hospital next time if everything else was up to my standards.

Read: I want a Vera Bradley diaper bag! :p

carrie_c

235 Posts

I have heard of hospitals who have child birth classes giving away goodie bags. I guess I could understand that. It would be nice if all hospitals could afford to give nice gifts, but unfortunately it is all about money now. That's why there are so many elective inductions. Just get them in, crank that pit up, get that baby out and get them discharged ASAP so the next patient can come in. I always wanted to do OB, but the way it is now, so medical, I really don't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

when i delivered my twins 6 years ago I got Similac diaper bags (one for each baby) and the nurses loaded them up with formula (I had to feed 24 cal formula due to SGA and at that time you couldn't buy it), plus all the stuff in the crib (and they stocked it before I left) so I came home with all kinds of diapers and wipes, tubes of Vaseline etc...

now you get a diaper bag (most are Gerber since WIC is contracted with Good Start) and it has a can of powdered formula in it and a bib - we aren't allowed to put extra diapers in the cribs (they get one pack of diapers for the entire stay and if they run out we have to bring them 2 diapers at a time) and we aren't allowed to fill the bag with any extra formula.

ETA - I now work in the hospital I delivered in - at the time I did not

TexasCourgette

37 Posts

Specializes in Labor & Deliery.

For the boys, pull 2 little strings out from the bottom of the hat, and use it to tie the top 2 corners of the hat--it'll look like bear ears!

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP

4 Articles; 5,259 Posts

Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.
For the boys, pull 2 little strings out from the bottom of the hat, and use it to tie the top 2 corners of the hat--it'll look like bear ears!

That sounds really cute! I will have to try it and see if I can make it work. Thank you! :up:

carrie_c

235 Posts

For the boys, pull 2 little strings out from the bottom of the hat, and use it to tie the top 2 corners of the hat--it'll look like bear ears!

Haha! We use ribbon to make the ears!!

Specializes in Postpartum, special care nursery.

Our mamas get a big water bottle with hospital logo on it, a packet full of info and pamphlets, and that's about it. Volunteers make our baby hats. Our rooms are all private with flat screen TVs, but we only have showers (no tubs). Some nurses will give parents an extra bag of diapers and wipes to go home. I wish we did a little something special for them... I understand the point that was made about it being a hospital unit providing medical/nursing care, but I also think this is such a special unit to work on :)

On another note, my homebirth midwife brought us a onesie, packet of bath herbs, baby booty cream, nipple cream, and postpartum tea :up:

ScrubCap

27 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Surgery, Post Partum, GYN.

We give out a Halo sleep sack with our hospital logo on it, a board book ("baby's 1st book), a travel coffee mug for dad, a lullaby CD, and the mom's get the large insulated hospital water mug (they use this as a patient while they are there). Everything has the hospital logo on it. As the patients are transferred to M/B, their postpartum room is set up with the "gift pack" - sort of displayed on the counter as they enter the room. They also get to take home whatever supplies are in the room (i.e. diapers, wipes, pads, tucks, etc) and the thermometer for the baby.

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