Loves Letters

It’s February and our minds turn to love. Everything seems to be hearts and flowers no matter where you go. So I’m going to take a minute here to spend some time sharing the love, naming thank you notes.

I actually do call these loves letters when I talk about them in my childbirth classes or to my doula clients. You write love letters to people who went out of their way to help you during your birth. (There is a flip side to this and while those letters are equally important, we’re going to save that for another day.)

Thank you notes should be personal. Share how their actions helped you specifically, but quickly, no need to be wordy. If you can do it hand written, that is always a nice thing to do. But sometimes, that’s hard or you don’t feel like your handwriting is legible. Consider enclosing a photo of you together with this person if applicable. (More tips on writing thank you notes.)

If you gave birth in a hospital and you are writing to someone from that institution be sure to consider the following:

• Include as much identifying information as you can about the recipient. It may have been difficult to get a last name during labor or you’ve forgotten it. But addressing it to Eve, BSN on 3-11 p.m. 12/8/09 will get to the right person.
• Copy that person’s supervisor. This can mean a difference come raise time or even promotion wise.

Some families want to do gifts. While this can be appropriate consider your recipient. Many nurses say that while they love the trays of cookies or flowers, the thank you note would help them more with their bosses.

Midwives, doulas, childbirth educators and lactation consultants may have varied needs for recognition with a boss. That will depend on a variety of factors. But if you want to do a gift in addition to your letter, consider donations to favorite charities, a scholarship fund for their profession, or a local fund set up to help cover childbirth class or doula fees, breast pump rentals and the like.

Show us your examples of loves letters you’re written or received as it pertains to birth in the comments!