It’s confusing to figure out a perfect time to celebrate a baby shower during a pregnancy. A baby shower is a great way to welcome your newborn child into this world. The celebration is a joint effort of family members, friends, and well-wishers to celebrate the new baby’s arrival.
So the question arises, “when is the right time to host a baby shower”? The answer is that there is no “right” time to celebrate this joyous moment, but most moms-to-be do it around the beginning or middle of the third trimester. This period is neither too early nor too late. It is a perfect time because, by this time, the baby bump starts showing, and you’re not exhausted to socialize like women near their due date are.
Time before and after the baby shower
It is essential to consider the right time for the baby shower before celebrating it. It is better not to do it too early because a mom looks cute with her baby bump. So, it’s better to wait until then.
It would be good if you don’t organize the celebration near the due date time. That time is a bit exhausting for most of the moms like mood swings, nausea and are not in a mood to socialize with other people. We need to take note of the time before and after the shower.
Scheduling the baby shower
The most common time to celebrate the Baby Shower is at the beginning of the third trimester, between 28 and 32 weeks.
This is a time when the mom is enthusiastic about the occasion and not too exhausted. As she is still a few weeks away from the labor, she’ll be enjoying herself in the celebration as well.
Fathers are the most excited and happy in this phase of the pregnancy. They embrace their partner’s bump and feel some movements of the baby for the first time. With all the rush of emotions and happiness of being a father, this may be the right time to celebrate the occasion.
It is better to do a baby shower and a gender reveal together as it will be a fun occasion.
Special situations
There may be some unique situations during pregnancy. In these cases, you should do the baby shower soon or sometimes after the delivery time.
1. Pregnancy Complications
If you have complications in your pregnancy period, you may have preterm labor. In this case, you cannot organize your baby shower in your third trimester.
There can be risks and complications that the mom-to-be will face. Sometimes your activities might be limited by your doctor, or you may have to be on complete bed rest. This may affect the time of the baby shower. You will not be able to plan the program in this situation.
Either you can shift the time earlier, or you can do it after the baby is born as well. You can also limit the members to invite to the shower.
2. Family Holidays
Sometimes big family holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas may fall under your pregnancy period. So why not celebrate your baby shower at the same time? This might be an excellent opportunity to be with all of your family and friends.
Celebrating your baby shower during a family holiday may be fun because all the members will be a part of the celebration. It is when everyone takes a break from their daily life and gathers with their loved ones.
It would be great to celebrate this little joyous gift you’re getting with all of your family members and friends. So don’t hesitate to schedule your baby shower a little soon or later if there is a family holiday.
3. Twins or Multiples
You can find out if you’re having twins or multiples within six weeks to 10 weeks during your ultrasound session. It is six times more likely to have early labor for women carrying twins or multiple children than carrying a single child.
As there is a high chance of having the delivery earlier, you may want to schedule your baby shower accordingly. You can celebrate them after the baby bump starts showing but is early enough to have no risks of being in labor.
Sometimes you may also celebrate it with your babies after their arrival. Unwrapping the gifts with your children’s presence in the event is a fun idea.
4. Religions and Cultures
There are some religions and cultures that do not believe in performing the baby shower during pregnancy. They celebrate it after the baby is born.
If that’s your case, you can respect and follow your traditions and cultures as well. There is no harm in having the celebration after the baby is born. It solely depends on the parents.
If you want to follow your culture, you may want to schedule your baby shower after your delivery. While planning the post-pregnancy baby shower, you need to keep in mind that you are in the right mind and fresh enough to socialize and enjoy the welcoming of your newly born.
Should you have a baby shower if it isn’t your first child?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. It depends on if you want to do it or not. If you have celebrated a baby shower already for your firstborn child, you may, however, consider organizing a minor party this time.
If you want to celebrate your subsequent pregnancy and welcome your next child, it is excellent to do so. A mother has a full right to celebrate this time of their life as it is precious.
If you have doubts about having the celebration, you can organize a minor party with a limited number of family members and friends. You can also organize the baby shower and the gender reveal simultaneously so that the party will be big enough for you to enjoy, even if it’s your second child.
Conclusion
Being a parent is a beautiful beginning of a new chapter in one’s life. This feeling and the joy of welcoming your little one are immense. There is no right or wrong time for celebrating the life growing inside you.
As a parent-to-be, there is a lot to handle and to be stressed about. Celebrating the new life should not come under a task that’s stressful. You can rearrange it according to your availability and convenience. It should be a time when you enjoy the moment with your friends, family, and close ones without any worries or stress as it will not be helpful for the mom-to-be.
Be it your first child, twins, or a second child, the excitement of being a parent and the happiness is the same. So, you need to learn to be happy and enjoy this joyous moment. Try to be careful and a little gentle with yourself while celebrating the baby shower as the baby inside you needs love and care, and affection.