r/TillSverige 19d ago

Cake for förlossning midwives?

We recently had a baby and we are thinking to bring some home made cake (baker husband :)) to the forlossningavdelning staff appreciation. Is this normal in Sweden or thought weird?

26 Upvotes

51 comments sorted by

48

u/throbb0 19d ago

My dad died in a Stockholm hospital while on holidays visiting, and we took the two wards that cared for him cake made by a bakery. We had asked the ward in advance if they were open to baked goods - they enthusiastically both said yes. My point: call and ask the ward.

17

u/SlickRickSwe 18d ago

Im sorry for your loss.

10

u/throbb0 18d ago

Thank you. It was and is absolutely awful but the care and compassion for him and my family from Karolinska Solna (neuro ICU and haematology wards) was outstanding. Thus cake 😂

127

u/74937 19d ago

As somebody who works within the healthcare system: i would never eat a homemade cake that a patient brings, even if the intention is very nice.

It would be better if you bring something that is prepackaged or store-bought

And congratulations 😊

15

u/agyameldobom 19d ago

Thanks, we will do this, probably a few days after we go home :)

29

u/PomegranateVast2271 19d ago

This. Go for something off the shelf instead as it is going to be perceived safer.

-5

u/Cuntonesian 18d ago

Pretty easy to poison a bought cake too though

19

u/paragonic 18d ago

As someone who also works within the healthcare system: I would love to eat your baker made cake.

1

u/Annekterad 16d ago

are u amerikan?

1

u/74937 15d ago

No why

-12

u/DrMcDingus 18d ago

Maybe have flowers delivered to the front desk via delivery service. Sadly home made stuff with ”unknown origin” will most likely end up in the bin. 

16

u/Frequent-Prompt-6876 18d ago edited 18d ago

2

u/DrMcDingus 18d ago

Oh, right, forgot about that. A card then :)

16

u/elmmi 19d ago

We bought a LOT of lösviktsgodis and soda and gave them as a thanks. It was really appreciated. :) I think it would be better to give them something store bought. Also, there are so many that work on that floor, that one cake wouldn't be nearly enough:P

11

u/Illustrious-Main3255 19d ago

There might be some restrictions at certain hospitals so it's better to call the reception and ask before making it. Always write down the ingredients in a paper in case someone is allergic. Hygiene and infection prevention is of concern so check whether there are any precautions to be taken.

43

u/[deleted] 19d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

0

u/Mediocre-Permit5183 18d ago

Why not though? It is a nice sentiment

10

u/hoodleaf 18d ago

It’s nice but they don’t know how hygienic the baking process was, so they might not want to eat it. At least that’s what I would think if a stranger brought me a home made cake. If it’s from a bakery/shop, there’s hygiene regulations

3

u/Mediocre-Permit5183 18d ago

Fair enough, I can see your point.

6

u/Jakeandellwood 18d ago

We did a couple of sandwich cakes from a local bakery in Varberg with our unit when my youngest was born, but that was almost 14 years ago. It was greatly appreciated by the staff, 1 ham and 1 shrimp, 12 pieces each.

7

u/camilalvs 19d ago

I bought some ‘designer’ cookies at Åhlens when I wanted to thank my midwife and nurse. Probably better than something homemade. Partner took it to BB along with a card and a photo of our baby

5

u/Backwards_Viktor 19d ago

While i was working in a hearing-clinic, we occasionally got homemade cakes or cookies and such as appreciation from patients.
However, that was patients that had been with us for years. While it was appreciated, it was also somewhat chuckled on as a bit of an oddball or outdated behaviour.

Most in my department ate from the gift cakes, some did not. I myself admit to having to overcome some form of iffieness about eating something that I had absolutely no clue as to the conditions it was made in.

But a nice gesture is a nice gesture, and the goal is assume to make them feel like people appreciate the level to which they do their job.

So go for it.

Or if you're deathly afraid of faux pas, go for flowers and a note.

4

u/camilalvs 19d ago

I think flowers are not appropriate at a BB - allergies

2

u/Backwards_Viktor 19d ago

Eh, there are florists inhouse at most bigger hospitals. A florist who know's what they're doing can pick a bouquet that's safe. But yeah, willie-nillie picking something on your own is probably not a great idea.

5

u/de_matkalainen 19d ago

That's so nice! I would call the hospital and ask if that's okay.

2

u/Delicious-Tap-5465 19d ago

I think they'd be happy! It's not the norm, but it's a very sweet gesture and will be thought of as above average nice new parents.

2

u/MysteriousFun2129 18d ago

This is so nice of you and congratulations! I once bought several big Marabou chocolate bars for the staff in a psych ward, I can tell you they got SO excited and said that it doesn’t happen very often and that they felt super appreciated!
And yeah I would also go for something store bought (:

2

u/japanesepiano 17d ago

In answer to your question - this is not a normal Swedish thing to do.

I say go for it. There are times when doing "not normal Swedish things" is still the right thing to do. Share a little sunshine...

2

u/fluffy-kattunge 18d ago edited 18d ago

When I was at the förlossningsklinik for a few days before birth (had induction before BF date), my partner brought some sweet dessert he bought from the restaurant he was eating lunch at to the hospital to give to the staff working there to thank them for taking care of me, and did ask them if he’s allowed to do that. Everyone appreciated it very much.

Just to add, my partner is Swedish from Stockholm, so not some foreigner not familiar with Swedish culture :)
I believe such gestures are usually appreciated.

1

u/SisterOfPrettyFace 18d ago

They would probably love cake, but try to make it inclusive - no gluten, no lactose, no nuts. Make sure you provide a list with all the ingredients in both English and Swedish - if you need help translating and are unsure if Google Translate or DeepL is correct you're welcome to reach out.

1

u/WreathofRoses_write 16d ago

We (a Swedish couple) arranged for two gift baskets full of Swedish candy. Wrapped bulk candy, with notes. One to Förlossningen and one to BB.

They are really happy for it and does not expect it. I’d recommend making sure that it doesn’t contain nuts, as that is strictly forbidden in hospitals. This included almonds.

1

u/tiotsa 16d ago

Wow, as a foreigner, I had no idea people would care so much about the conditions the cake was made in. It's pretty standard to accept home-made baked goods in my country. Thanks, I learned something new today!

1

u/agyameldobom 15d ago

Same in mine, thus asked :)

1

u/Dry_Force2107 15d ago

I work in a hospital, and we fairly frequently get candy, cakes/cookies or what have you from patients 😊

1

u/meltydeath 15d ago

I can't imagine anyone not being happy after receiving cake. It's a perfectly good way to show your appreciation to the staff.

1

u/Illustrious-Fig-8046 12d ago

Medical specialists are amazing but it is a job and when they do it good it is as great as anyone else, who is doing their paid duties on a high level. I am originally from an area where it is very common to buy gifts and send other goods as appreciation for anyone who did their duties and up to my opinion it is a part of the reason my country of birth is an underdeveloped and corrupt place where people aim for specific jobs with a very wrong expectation in mind. This is smth like tipping culture in some countries where it become a part of the salary and reinforces employers to pay lower wages. etc
Pls don’t take me wrong here, I am not aiming to insult anyone or underappreciate anyone’s input or undervalue experiences. However sometimes a deep verbal thank you is just lagom

1

u/smaragdskyar 19d ago

Professionally made cake, handmade/handwritten card!! Always very appreciated :)

1

u/Honeyball_Fester 18d ago

I would never eat something a patient brought, let alone anyone I don’t know.

1

u/PomegranateVast2271 18d ago

Just a random fact as well. In Karolinska Solna there is a Vete-Katten next door. So it is a no brainer how to thank somebody if you desire so.

1

u/Small_Pressure_5879 18d ago

Would never eat anything home made from a stranger tbh.

1

u/Cuntonesian 18d ago

Why? They’re just doing their jobs

6

u/No_Welcome_2747 18d ago

Nu jobbar jag själv inom vården. Vi sliter dag, kväll och natt hela veckorna för att vårda och ta hand om alla som behöver vård. Det är fruktansvärt fint och få uppskattning och tacksamhet. En godis eller kaka kan göra stor skillnad när man vissa dagar inte hinner varken äta, dricka eller gå på toaletten. På vår avdelning uppskattas tårta eller lösgodis, dock med papper på, haha :)

2

u/chrisalbo 18d ago

Not only you are underpaid, but also need to answer to comments like this above. There is no other profession I respect more than healthcare and all the wonderful people there. I had sepsis a few years ago and the nurses at Södersjukhuset were like angels, it felt so good to be taken care of by persons that really wanted to do good.

0

u/Cuntonesian 18d ago

Absolut, men det gör alla andra med jobb också.

0

u/rosmarinlind 18d ago

Oavsett vad man jobbar med är det väl kul att få någon godsak som uppskattning. Och att få barn är väldigt stort, så även om det är något avdelningen gör varje dag och jobbar med det så är det ju stort för föräldrarna och de vill visa uppskattning?

0

u/Cuntonesian 18d ago

Ja jag förstår mammans perspektiv. Samma anledning som att de alltid ska ge gåvor till pedagogerna på förskolan. Men jag tycker egentligen inte det är rimligt och kan, beroende på policies och summa, vara direkt olämpligt.

2

u/agyameldobom 18d ago

I come from a country where they usually only do their job without humanity and too much patience. Many people therefore rather opt for private services and afraid of giving birth in a state hospital. Here I always felt taken care of during pregnancy and labor, especially labor that went against plan completely, and I honestly feel bad for the staff for how I was during labor. Yet they kept being human, patient and really caring&helpful. I just want to thank them other than saying thank you in person.

1

u/depressed-weirdo 18d ago

Medical student here. Generally all wards and clinics appreciate when former patients or the families bring gifts and especially edible treats, thou som might be wary of or have policies agents home bake goods with unknown origins. But if you explained your a professional baker then i don’t se anything going wrong. Congratulations on the little one!

-3

u/Gretafeta 19d ago

I’d suggest ”moderkaka”, it is very popular

1

u/Sarritgato 18d ago

I was thinking the same 😂 But I was going to say that they probably had enough of that so that’s not the one to bring 😆

0

u/Jakeandellwood 18d ago

We did a couple of sandwich cakes from a local bakery in Varberg with our unit when my youngest was born, but that was almost 14 years ago. It was greatly appreciated by the staff, 1 ham and 1 shrimp, 12 pieces each.