Care package ideas for pregnant friend
Posted by Saskia on May 11, 2010 · Member since Jan 2007 · 1976 posts
I'd like to mail a care package to a very dear friend of mine who is pregnant, and bedridden due to medical complications.
Do you have any suggestions on what I should include in her care package?
Aww, I am so sorry your friend is having a hard time Saskia!
I must assume she has someone helping her at the least since she is bedridden, so perhaps some staples like rice, grains, canned beans. Then some baked goods, of course! Cookies, cupcakes, maybe even little chocolates? Possibly a book to read, instructions on how to knit or crochet along with supplies, a movie to watch, a deck of cards, a small electronic handheld type game (those little ones that play poker or backgammon or something she enjoys) or even books of word searches / sudoku / crossword puzzles.
Those would be things I would enjoy if bedridden for a while.
You could get her some lotion from Lush to spread on her expanding belly. Something cute in expectation of the big day like a stuffed animal, a maternity sleep shirt for the hospital, and baby blanket.
Hope this helps!
That must be hard to be on bedrest! Magazines and books would be great! I totally agree with Cali on the learn to knit/knitting suppies I bet she would love that! When I was pregnant I was OBSESSED with reading pregnancy/birthing/baby books, if she likes those I would see what kinds she has...Ina May's Spiritual Midwifery and Guide to childbirth books were some of my favoirtes (only if shes kinda into natural birthing techniques, as this is what they are based on.)
how about a dvd set from a season of an awesome tv show? that may be too expensive but it gives hours of entertainment!
eta: or a great book! i really like malcolm gladwell's books.
I haven't read this yet, but it looks good.
http://www.amazon.com/Belly-Laughs-Naked-Pregnancy-Childbirth/dp/0738210072/ref=pd_cp_b_2
Calie, babysgotsauce, _algae_, PhoebeRainier, thank you so much! I've never been pregnant or had to watch over someone who is so this is really helpful. I was just going to send her tea and cookies but now I'm going to add some good reading material, fun game and DVD stuff and maybe a little something for the baby, based on your suggestions. I'll check out those book titles too. Greatly appreciated. :)>>>
Tea? I think tea always makes things better (although I've never been pregnant).
Is there anything you know she likes but wouldn't spend money on for herself? Like say, I dunno...the latest bodice-ripper/spy yarn/gossip rag? Or some vegan chocs? Or a small small bottle of decadent scent?
I actually knew a girl in college who played up a blonde-bimbo image (latest trends, all about her looks etc) who was a closet intellectual...I gave her a leatherbound copy of Sonnets from the Portuguese and she was over the moon.
Thank you for your help. Yes, she does like tea, also women's fitness magazines and has way too many pairs of shoes and Mac products. She is a very good cook, has a sweet tooth but doesn't know how to bake.
She's also addicted to sesame sticks. I wish I knew how to make them because the ones I find have honey in them.
Red Raspberry leaf tea is perfect for a Momma-to-be. It is useful for menstrual cramps, has many trace minerals and strengthens the uterine muscles. It has a very calming affect. I like drinking it warm or chilled, by itself or mixed with peppermint and lemon.
Remember that there are many teas that are beneficial while pregnant, there are also some that are not, so look into it... or ask me, I've done a fair amount of research on the subject. :)
I think that whatever you chose to put in the care package, it will be a comfort to her that you are thinking of her.
Red Raspberry leaf tea is perfect for a Momma-to-be. It is useful for menstrual cramps, has many trace minerals and strengthens the uterine muscles. It has a very calming affect. I like drinking it warm or chilled, by itself or mixed with peppermint and lemon.
Remember that there are many teas that are beneficial while pregnant, there are also some that are not, so look into it... or ask me, I've done a fair amount of research on the subject. :)
I think that whatever you chose to put in the care package, it will be a comfort to her that you are thinking of her.
Thank you. I didn't know that. I better check before I mail her some tea. Besides the Red Raspberry leaf, what other teas are Mommy-to-be friendly?
Any decaf tea are Mommy friendly. In Holland, they say that fennel tea is good to drink when you are breast feeding, supposed to be very good for the milk.
When I was on house rest in my 2nd pregnancy, a friend sent a care package of treats including a magazine, a good book, nail polish, it was really sweet!
When I was pregnant I was on bedrest for a long time with my 2nd and 3rd pregnancies.. My mil took care of my other children at her house during the day with the 2nd one...so I stayed home on the couch while hubby worked...I was not suppose to get up at all except to go to the bathroom. Jimmy would make me lunch before he left and leave it in the fridge. So anything that has to be prepared would not have been great for me, I couldn't have prepared it...even tea. : ( Books would have been awesome, dvd's, some kind of hobby thing that you can do lying down...or sitting if she is allowed to sit. A list of websites she may enjoy if she has a laptop...my husband's grandfather gave me an entire box of my favorite candy bars and hubby left them next to me when he went to work...Not a good idea! I was bored and wanted to eat them all, lol. I didn't but it took a great deal of will power...I craved chocolate during pregnancy.
Very helpful. I got her decaf tea, Luna bars, magazine and cookies so far. Going to pick up a good book and/or movie too, puzzle book and lotion. Thanks for the great ideas.
What a sweet friend you are. She is lucky to have you! I love all the ideas that have been mentioned. I was going to suggest a nice calming CD, maybe classical music. How about some comfy socks, pj's, or robe? Maybe some soothing skin care; a bath soak or mask. I was also thinking a journal and pen might be nice, so she can write her thoughts. :)
What a sweet friend you are. She is lucky to have you! I love all the ideas that have been mentioned. I was going to suggest a nice calming CD, maybe classical music. How about some comfy socks, pj's, or robe? Maybe some soothing skin care; a bath soak or mask. I was also thinking a journal and pen might be nice, so she can write her thoughts. :)
That's sweet of you to say. :) I like the classical music CD idea, which is easy for me since I can burn something from my collection. Erik Satie would be nice I think. I use those sleeper socks and bath stuff a lot myself so I think I can add that to her growing care package box. Thanks for the ideas. :)
I think it's fantastic you are doing a care package for her! Being pregnant and especially if you have complications that limit what you can do is not a lot of fun. Of course, you are willing to do anything for your baby, but it's hard to sit around and wait for something to happen or the you have the feeling that something might go wrong.
To know someone cares enough to do what you're doing will be a huge comfort to her. :)>>>
I think it's fantastic you are doing a care package for her! Being pregnant and especially if you have complications that limit what you can do is not a lot of fun. Of course, you are willing to do anything for your baby, but it's hard to sit around and wait for something to happen or the you have the feeling that something might go wrong.
To know someone cares enough to do what you're doing will be a huge comfort to her. :)>>>
Awww ... thank you so much. That's really sweet of you to say. :)
She is a very dear friend. I mailed her a care package and booked a flight to visit her for a few days, too. She is being so careful about what she eats, staying in bed. So hard since she is use to being very active in her career and socially. It's a big learning experience for me since I know nothing about what it's like to be pregnant. I look forward to taking care of her when I see her soon!
Saskia, how is your friend doing? I bet she loved the gift package you sent her! :)
Saskia, how is your friend doing? I bet she loved the gift package you sent her! :)
Thanks for asking about her, abrimmer. :)
She loved the care package and I thank everyone here for your wonderful ideas! I visited her last month and she made me the best Indian food. I am worried about her. She was going to have the baby next month but is going in for a C-section next week. Please keep her and her baby girl in your thoughts and prayers.
Pages