Is it a bad idea to have my baby shower at 36 weeks?

[Anonymous]

I am considering whether to have my shower at 35 weeks or 36 weeks. The latter works better for my schedule, but I am wondering whether I am risking delivering on that date (or around then). What do people think? Maybe it doesn't make a difference since the alternative to having the shower at 36 weeks is to have it at 35 weeks, which is really not that much sooner.

[Anonymous]

I think the answer is, it depends. For me, I was ready with all the essentials at week 34: crib/ bassinet/ car seat/ diapers/ wipes/ basic layette. If you are waiting for the shower to assemble the essential new baby items, then I think week 36 may be a bit on the late side (although you may be a fly by the seat of your pants person who can handle a lot of last minute scrambling). At my baby shower, I received mostly toys and clothes for when DC was older so the timing was pretty flexible. Still, the later you go, the bigger and more uncomfortable you are (will you be in the mood to socialize?). Plus, there are the thank you notes to consider- make sure you get as much of that done before baby arrives (plus you will get more gifts after baby is born for which you will need to write thank you's plus getting out the birth announcements). I had my shower at 33 weeks- far enough along to feel ready but enough time to arrange all the gifts in the nursery and send all the thank yous. It worked for me but ask yourself if you are the type of person who can tolerate a lot of activity at once or if you need time to process and pace yourself.

[Anonymous]

I had my baby shower at 34 weeks and I thought it was too late. I had registered for a bunch of things at Babies R Us and so didn't want to buy a lot of those things (which I needed) until after the shower and I knew whether I'd gotten them or not. Because I like to get things done as soon as I can, it made me anxious not to be able to finish getting together everything until after 34 weeks. Of course, I'm now 37 weeks and have bought everything I need (I hope!) but I wish I'd had my shower a little bit earlier just for my own peace of mind.

[Anonymous]

If it's just the risk of delivering you're worried about, I don't think 36 weeks will be a problem. If you're waiting for your shower to get essentials (infant car seat, co-sleeper) then you might want to reconsider, unless you don't mind scrambling. But the difference between 35 and 36 weeks, as you point out, isn't that much. I just wouldn't worry that much about it. In my experience, I wasn't so uncomfortable at 36 weeks that I couldn't enjoy a party with all my friends.

[Anonymous]

I'll be 37 weeks on the day of my shower. Do what works for you.

[Anonymous]

I was 36 weeks and it was great. I felt like I had plenty of time to get things ready. Esp if this is your first the baby may even come late. Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

I am the OP. Thanks for the responses! I'm more concerned about the baby coming early or being too big/uncomfortable to enjoy the experience. (We got or will get most of the essentials before then and are not relying on the shower guests for those.).

[Anonymous]

If you're still pg, you'll enjoy the distraction!

[Anonymous]

I delivered at 37w, 1 week before my work shower was scheduled! They rescheduled and the baby came with me at 3 weeks.
It was fine, I wasnt expecting any of the basic presents. All I had when the baby came home was a few outfits, a moses basket, diapers/wipes and a car seat/snap n go. You figure everything else out along the way.

[Anonymous]

I had an easy pregnancy but I remember not wanting to go to my shower at 37 weeks, I was so hormonal and tired. But then again I sucked it up for a couple hours adn it was fun in the end.

[Anonymous]

My water broke the day after my shower at 32 weeks....but that is not very common. I think in general it would be good to have it sooner rather than later, so you can see what all you get and you'll have more time to get the rest of the things you need and you won't be so huge and uncomfortable while you are doing that.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I had two showers scheduled. I had my baby in between the two shower dates. My friend just moved the second shower even later and we had a welcome baby party thing....it was nice. So even if you missed your shower, I'm sure people would reschedule it for you for later.

[Anonymous]

My shower will be when I am 36 weeks as well-was no other good to schedule it! I think we should be ok, since it is a first baby, but I have had some of the same thoughts you have.

We're pretty set up with the nursery, but we still need the car seat and the pack and play (which we will be using as a bassinet). My plan is to go out with the grandmas the next day and pick up whatever essentials we still need. We have car seat installation appointments for the following Thursday--as long as we can get to that point, I'll be fine!

I wouldn't worry about it too much--worst case scenario if you deliver early, you send DH out to pick up a few things before you come home.

[Anonymous]

I had one of mine at 36 weeks. It was fine. I was huge but happy. Delivered at 41 weeks so plenty of time!

[Anonymous]

Had one last week at 38w.