What's the norm for baby showers?

AMYfromKY · April 2009

I live 3 hours away from my family, so I will have to be the one who travels for my shower. I was thinking 32 weeks was the norm for baby showers, but my mom thinks 36 weeks is (that's when she had hers).

Which one of us is right? I don't mind traveling later into my pregnancy, but 36 weeks just seems so late to me.

Danse · April 2009

I've seen them at 32 weeks and I think it's reasonable esp. if you're traveling. I've seen anywhere from 30-36 weeks around here.

FWIW, I'm hoping to be no more than 32 for mine.

KRISTI88MAMA · April 2009

I'd say it's whenever you want it. I don't really think there is set week you have to have it. I'm probably having mine in my 26th week because it's the only week my sister is in town.

Amy Conkling · April 2009

I would have to second your thoughts on it being a little late for you to travel that far. I would also be uncomfortable having a shower that late, as you never know - you may go early!

I think 32-34 weeks would be perfect.

Mrs.Husband · April 2009

Generally, I would think either is reasonable (assuming you have no reason to think you'll be going into labor early). That being said, since you'll have to travel a couple of hours, I would lean toward having it earlier (32 weeks) rather than later. I'm guessing you'll be far less uncomfortable at 32 weeks.

I don't want mine any later than 32 weeks.

MrsBeckO · April 2009

There's a good chance you will NOT want to be in a car for 3 hours at 36 weeks, or that your doctor would even allow it.

We had a 3 hour car trip last weekend and I was miserable at only 22 weeks.?

AidensMama22 · April 2009

I think its really up to you..what works best for you..for me my mom had mine with my son at 34th week which was a saturday..the next saturday my water broke at only 35 weeks thank god she made it the week before..and my doctor and i had no clue why I went into labor early! So..sometimes its better to have it early just incase you get put on bedrest!

kiki4 · April 2009

Mine will be at 27 weeks, in large part because I will be going back to TX for it. My girlfriend who is planning it has a very busy month in July and I'd prefer not to fly in August, so we settled on a weekend in June.

ArmyBride0604 · April 2009

Most doctors don't want you traveling that close to your due date. You might just ask your doctor was s/he thinks and if that's their opinion, there's your reason.

Vixey529 · April 2009

Mine is going to be at 28 weeks - simply because it's outside in Florida, and May is the last chance before you hit the really hot and rainy season.

T&BMay142005 · April 2009

From what I have noticed with other posts like this 30-34 weeks seem to be the norm. I am having my first one at 27 weeks. I think it all depends on what works best for your schedule. If you have it too late you may be uncomfortable and don't forget there will be things that you need to buy after your showers (stuff that people didn't buy from your registries).

yale · April 2009

Can you compromise and do it at 34? I'm having mine at 35, but a bit sooner would be nice.

jk09uhed89 · April 2009

i will be about 32 weeks. i dont know what the norm is but if i was traveling i dont think i would want to be that close to the end, thats just me

suscq · April 2009

I know too many women who were hospitalized during their last 6 wks of pg due to early contractions. In all cases it came out fine, but all spent a day or two in the hosp to get meds to stop contractions. I wouldn't want to be three hours away from my dr or my hosp at 36 wks.

Also, I would check with your dr to see what they say about you being 3 hrs away at 36 weeks. The drs will usually have a policy about how close you should be to home in the last few weeks.

lyndym2006 · April 2009

I've heard that you shouldn't travel 8 weeks in advance to EDD, so if I were you.. Def 32 weeks! You'll also probably be a lot more comfortable!

AMYfromKY · April 2009

Thanks ladies. My mom isn't trying to dictate the date at all. She just thought that was the norm. I told her I'd ask on here and she said that would probably best because what people did 20-something years ago could be totally different from what people do today.

I think I will go with 32 weeks. I would hate to be totally uncomfortable in the car.

Mrs.Teddy · April 2009

I would say 36 weeks is a little late, esp if you are travelling. MY MIL is throwing mine at 36 weeks in our city & it stresses me out that its so clost to the baby coming. My mom is havign one for me at 3 weeks which I think is nice. I want the time to put the room together, organizer buy whatever we need etc. I think if I was travelling 30-34 weeks would be ideal.

cstw · April 2009

I will be 31 for mine.

aniceucchik · April 2009

i will be 30w and traveling 5 hours home...im not pumped about the drive...

cabana1 · April 2009

Goodness, the earlier the better! I had my first one at 31 weeks and I traveled 5 hours home. It was not a joyous car ride! There is no way in hell I would want a shower 3 hours away at 36 weeks...

I LUBBINS YOU! · April 2009

I think most women have their showers after the 30+ marker. I personally wouldn't want to do a shower at 36 weeks though, as I am going to be tired as heck.

esquiremomma · April 2009

There is no rule for baby showers, but I would not agree to one that late in your pg if you have to travel. I am having 2 out of town showers that require me to fly. The first one I will be 24 weeks and the second I will be 28 weeks.

Also consider that you might go into labor early. You will not have as much time to wash all the baby clothes, return unwanted or duplicate gifts, and organize the nursery.

amhough · April 2009

I have to fly home to ohio for mine, so we planned it for 27 weeks ( in two weeks! yay!). I didn't want to plan to fly much later than that and because of graduations and stuff accumulating in early June we'd have had to do it at the end of June, which just seemed to late for a two hour flight. I think it is totally up to you.

Mrs.DeliaMarieP · April 2009

I will be 33 weeks for mine, and I even feel that is bordering on too late. 36 weeks is considered full-term, and I feel you should have more time than that to prepare the remainder of the nursery, what if you went into labor early? Maybe you can compromise and have it at 34 weeks?