Baby Shower Time Frame

cjbwifey2010

Hey ladies,

Around how many weeks do you plan on having your baby shower, or baby sprinkle? (FYI...I know a lot of you think sprinkles are corny and that's perfectly fine. That's not what I'm asking. In my culture, we have showers pretty much for every child and no one has ever thought of it as that).

My son came early (28 weeks) and so our shower (as well as maternity pics) weren't actually scheduled until the following month. Needless to say, my sister still threw me a shower but it honestly just wasn't the same. The Godmother of Baby2 is throwing me a shower, and of course the timeframe (in case God forbid I have another early delivery) was something she really wanted to go over with me. So we decided on my birthday weekend (early January), where I will be 26 weeks, and I think that's not too bad. Will you all be further along? If so, by how many weeks?

AEG84

I am hoping to have my shower in February, which would put me at 30-32 weeks. Far enough along for a good bump, but still enough time afterward to do more shopping and decorating if needed.  My work usually also does a sprinkle for expecting moms and dads (cake & gifts), which is always a surprise but typically closer to the due date - I would guess sometime in March for that.

I don't think 26 weeks is terrible. I know generally that etiquette says don't have it before baby is viable, just in case, but I also think that's just a guideline and not a hard and fast rule. In your case, there's a specific reason for wanting it at that point, so I don't see an issue. (Edit to clarify: I know 26 weeks is considered past that point of viability, so not applicable in your case anyway!)

Cynthia1207

26 weeks seems reasonable to me. I think I was somewhere around 33 weeks at my shower but I don't remember exactly. I was past 30 weeks for sure.

wildtot

This my first and was thinking around mid-end Feb. I would be around 30 wks or so.

RoseShadow873

I want to have it in February. I'm not sure how many weeks I will be then (I'm due April 14). I want to have it in February because I know I'll be really stressed in March with finals and after finals might be a bit late.

pinottoparenthood

I did mine pretty late... I was 32+ weeks for all of them. My last one was maybe a month before my due date. I just knew I was going to go late though...

Won't do anything this time around as it's my second.

NachosAndPeaches

Kind of OT but are you seeing a perinatologist because of your history? My friend who had a premie got progesterone shots with her second, and my friend who lost a baby at 20 weeks had a cerclage with her next. If you want a later baby shower, you could see if any of these options work for you and give you some "insurance". Also is there a way to wait and see how you're doing in a few months before you send invites and then decide on a final date closer to it? I think for a shower 3-4 weeks is plenty of notice.

kaitlyn592

I'm having mine in early February (like the very first weekend) because I want to have a solid 2 months between then and my due date. I'm due April 12th. I just want enough time to get all of the gifts organized, clothes washed, etc. I also want enough time to buy anything that I need and didn't receive at the shower.

I honestly think there's nothing wrong with having a shower as early as you want. Especially since you had an early delivery last time, no harm in having an early shower. I almost think it would be nice if earlier showers were a "thing". Then you wouldn't have to feel so uncomfortable and huge while everyone stares at you and gushes over you!

mrstrax

My cousin is due on the 14th and I think hers will be in early Feb. our family does all our showers (bridal/baby) at the grandparents' house, so it tends to involve an hour or two of travel for everyone, including the mom to be. Because of that (and having time to finish out the registry) we aim for 30-34 weeks. Plus then you're cute and bumpy but not crazy uncomfortable

momofmanyinthemitten

I was 32wks.

eastdurian

I had 2 with DD, one my friend threw here where we live and the other I traveled home for a family one. The friends one was really early because a lot of our friends were on a quick timeline being posted abroad so if we wanted everyone there it had to be early. I want to say I was only like.... 24 weeks then. The family one was about a month later but that I had to fly to so I didn't want to go home too late. 

This time I doubt we'll do anything. I think I'm going to take sex reveal cupcakes to "friends Thanksgiving," asking the hostess but I know she'll freak out and LOVE the idea even more than either DH or I do. I'll be home for a few weeks in December and then have to go back in February to wait for LO to be born there but I doubt we'll do anything called a "sprinkle" but I know we'll all get together because everyone is so freaking excited that we'll actually be around to have this LO.

gingercatNJ

I'm due April 1. We are thinking January 23. I think that's about 30 weeks? I would go a little earlier but done want to mush up against the holiday craziness.

cjbwifey2010

Thanks for all your input ladies. Another reason as to why we wanted to have it a little earlier is because my sister is an accountant and she pretty much will be crazy busy anytime after that. Her and I are very close so even though I know she would make the sacrifice to be there anytime after that, I'm ok with it being a tad bit early. I have a friend of mine who is having here like 3 weeks before her due date. That's just crazy to me. I would be so tired and uncomfortable at that stage I wouldn't want to be around a lot of people. I'm due April 14.

@NachosAndPeaches to answer your question, I do have an appointment coming up with a high risk doctor in a few weeks to see how we can avoid this from happening again. But I didn't have preterm labor. I have pre-eclampsia. Never dilated. Just really high blood pressure 180/120! We are definitely going to talk about options and I'm all for it. It's been my prayer since before we got pregnant that we will have a full term baby this go round. I know it may be weird to some, but I want to experience the Braxton Hicks and the labor pains, and hopefully a vaginal delivery. Most importantly, I want to leave the hospital WITH my baby!!!

Ready4theParty

We had showers inFeb and March. In Feb I was about 30 weeks. I think that you are ok with your timing especially if you live 8n a winter climate and weather might be an issue.

mumidi

I think my shower the first time was around 30 weeks.  That was nice because I didn't have to rush to get the other things I needed.  My cousin (who is having her first) just had her shower at 36 weeks and quickly had to figure out what she needed for baby.

sprocketsngadgets

I was 37 weeks. Would not recommend that late. It was due to my friends all wanting to be there but conflicts galore. I was huge and beyond uncomfortable. I went into labor a few days later

Julesby

cjbwifey2010 said:

@NachosAndPeaches to answer your question, I do have an appointment coming up with a high risk doctor in a few weeks to see how we can avoid this from happening again. But I didn't have preterm labor. I have pre-eclampsia. Never dilated. Just really high blood pressure 180/120! We are definitely going to talk about options and I'm all for it. It's been my prayer since before we got pregnant that we will have a full term baby this go round. I know it may be weird to some, but I want to experience the Braxton Hicks and the labor pains, and hopefully a vaginal delivery. Most importantly, I want to leave the hospital WITH my baby!!!

Not sure if you know this, but there is treatment that can be done if you are at risk for pre-eclampsia. It's fairly new, according to my genetic counselor. My sister had suspected pre-e and delivered both babies early, so I was screened so that they could treat me if necessary (which it's not). I know that they said the window for treating was coming up, for what that's worth.

cjbwifey2010

Julesby said:

cjbwifey2010 said:

@NachosAndPeaches to answer your question, I do have an appointment coming up with a high risk doctor in a few weeks to see how we can avoid this from happening again. But I didn't have preterm labor. I have pre-eclampsia. Never dilated. Just really high blood pressure 180/120! We are definitely going to talk about options and I'm all for it. It's been my prayer since before we got pregnant that we will have a full term baby this go round. I know it may be weird to some, but I want to experience the Braxton Hicks and the labor pains, and hopefully a vaginal delivery. Most importantly, I want to leave the hospital WITH my baby!!!

Not sure if you know this, but there is treatment that can be done if you are at risk for pre-eclampsia. It's fairly new, according to my genetic counselor. My sister had suspected pre-e and delivered both babies early, so I was screened so that they could treat me if necessary (which it's not). I know that they said the window for treating was coming up, for what that's worth.

No @ Julesby do you know what it is called? I would love to get more detail on that...!

Julesby

@cjbwifey2010 - The genetic counselor at my perinatologist's office didn't mention a specific name for the treatment. I think she mentioned that increasing certain vitamins was included. I can't find anything online, which is odd. I also remember that she said there was a window that I was not at risk of missing when I was there at 12 weeks.

But, if you mention it during your appointment, I'm sure the doc will know about it.

Julesby

@cjbwifey2010 - found it! https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/preeclampsia/basics/prevention/CON-20031644

It looks like low-dose aspirin and calcium supplements aren't proven to work for everyone, but it's worth asking your doc.

fourtsixand2

RoseShadow873 said:

I want to have it in February. I'm not sure how many weeks I will be then (I'm due April 14). I want to have it in February because I know I'll be really stressed in March with finals and after finals might be a bit late.

Just wanted to say HI fellow April 14th mommy! That's my due date as well!
My sister is throwing my shower the first weekend in March, I believe. We may push for end of February - still working out plans.

cjbwifey2010

fourtsixand2 said:

RoseShadow873 said:

I want to have it in February. I'm not sure how many weeks I will be then (I'm due April 14). I want to have it in February because I know I'll be really stressed in March with finals and after finals might be a bit late.

Just wanted to say HI fellow April 14th mommy! That's my due date as well!
My sister is throwing my shower the first weekend in March, I believe. We may push for end of February - still working out plans.

Due April 14th too!! Woot Woot!

cjbwifey2010

Julesby said:

@cjbwifey2010 - found it! https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/preeclampsia/basics/prevention/CON-20031644

It looks like low-dose aspirin and calcium supplements aren't proven to work for everyone, but it's worth asking your doc.

@Julesby-- thank you! Yes, already on the low dose aspirin, and they told me to get some vitamin B i think. I'm definitely praying this time around it wont happen. Blood pressure has been amazing thus far. 

Jules08

cjbwifey2010 said:

NachosAndPeaches to answer your question, I do have an appointment coming up with a high risk doctor in a few weeks to see how we can avoid this from happening again. But I didn't have preterm labor. I have pre-eclampsia. Never dilated. Just really high blood pressure 180/120! We are definitely going to talk about options and I'm all for it. It's been my prayer since before we got pregnant that we will have a full term baby this go round. I know it may be weird to some, but I want to experience the Braxton Hicks and the labor pains, and hopefully a vaginal delivery. Most importantly, I want to leave the hospital WITH my baby!!!

I had pre-e with my first as well (bed rest at 34 weeks when my BP - already on BP meds- was 180/116).  This time around, my OB also recommended baby aspirin and Vitamin B; however, she mentioned that it was just a theory and she wasn't convinced that it would be worth it.  Since it's not proven and I wasn't convinced either, she put me on Labetalol 100mg twice a day and weekly/ bi-monthly BP checks and monitoring.  Crossing my fingers for no pre-e for you this time!

Julesby

@cjbwifey2010 no idea why the genetic counselor made this all sound new. Maybe it's the screening tool? Best wishes on a safe, full-term pregnancy!

NachosAndPeaches

cjbwifey2010 said:

Thanks for all your input ladies. Another reason as to why we wanted to have it a little earlier is because my sister is an accountant and she pretty much will be crazy busy anytime after that. Her and I are very close so even though I know she would make the sacrifice to be there anytime after that, I'm ok with it being a tad bit early. I have a friend of mine who is having here like 3 weeks before her due date. That's just crazy to me. I would be so tired and uncomfortable at that stage I wouldn't want to be around a lot of people. I'm due April 14.

@NachosAndPeaches to answer your question, I do have an appointment coming up with a high risk doctor in a few weeks to see how we can avoid this from happening again. But I didn't have preterm labor. I have pre-eclampsia. Never dilated. Just really high blood pressure 180/120! We are definitely going to talk about options and I'm all for it. It's been my prayer since before we got pregnant that we will have a full term baby this go round. I know it may be weird to some, but I want to experience the Braxton Hicks and the labor pains, and hopefully a vaginal delivery. Most importantly, I want to leave the hospital WITH my baby!!!

I don't think that sounds weird at all. I didn't have a premie but I have friends who did and I know they all wish they could gave been miserable and over due and had take home right away babies. Please update us in a new thread after you meet with the perinatologist!

cjbwifey2010

Thanks for your support ladies! I will ask about getting on meds if needed. While I was in the hospital, my Dad brought me garlic tea every day. Natural way to reduce blood pressure. I had already put it in my mind that i'll start drinking it daily at about 5 months just to reduce my odds, but we will see what the doctor says. I will definitely keep you all updated ;-)