Is It Appropriate to Offer Baby Items During a Complicated Pregnancy?
A new mother, just 12 weeks into life with her daughter, finds herself in a delicate position. Grateful for the gifts she received during her pregnancy, bottles, accessories, and other baby supplies, she now realizes many of these items remain untouched.
Meanwhile, a dear friend is preparing for her own baby, though her pregnancy has recently been deemed very high risk.
The friend and her husband will soon be guests for dinner, and the new mother wonders: Should she offer these unused supplies to ease their burden, or would such an offer unintentionally cause pain, given the uncertainty of the baby’s future?
Her husband hesitates, unsure of the etiquette. She doesn’t want to appear insensitive, but she also doesn’t want to let the opportunity pass if the items could be helpful.
The advice is to wait. The supplies can be kept a little longer, until the friend’s situation is clearer. With patience and sensitivity, she can avoid causing unnecessary hurt while still keeping the door open for kindness at the right time.
At the heart of this dilemma lies a reminder of a fundamental truth: every child has the right to the highest attainable standard of health and to the care and protection needed for their survival and development.
