That is really a lovely idea!

Back in January my congregation held a baby shower for Jesus.  It was a fairly typical shower - with games (which I love) and food. The exceptional part was the gifts we all brought  were then donated to a United Church - run organization that helps the street people in our city.

I've NEVER been to a shower for an unborn baby. Only showers after the baby has arrived.

It's usually a time for games, wishes in a book and gifts as well as some food and drink, and serious baby cuddling.

IMO, baby shower games are like wedding shower games--an abomination which should be banned in favour of real relationship building actiiviteis like sharing stories.  Not that I have a lot of experience mind you...

More seriously, I think that a baby shower after baby ios born is wiser.  People who want to buy clothes that match the babys gender can do so.  Parents may have a better idea what they want/need (if they are asked).  It provides a "show the baby off" chance and a time for parents to ask for advice if they so desire.  And most importantly, the participants know ifthe baby will make it to term and/or be a live birth.

 I am always nervous about showers before the baby is born, too many things can go wrong.

Plus I like to meet the baby at the shower.

But that is a nice idea of keeping a family to be in your thoughts.

I've been to many showers, both before and after the arrival of the babies.  I wonder if there are regional differences about the timing of showers?    

I think in the Jewish tradition, nothing for the new baby is brought into the home before the birth - but it is acquired or gifted & can be stored elsewhere which seems a bit weird.  Not sure of the rationale, perhaps a superstition?  Maybe StevieG can elucidate.

When a baby is lost at full term, or anytime really, it is a tremendously sad life event. I have had several friends go through that devastation.   I don't necessarily think that not having a shower would make it easier, or lessen the grief of such loss - but it's not been part of my own experience so I can't really judge that.

I think that the idea of the baby shower is (or was originally) to help the family to prepare for this new arrival.  It's expensive - especially for the first.  So a shower before the arrival makes sense.   Perhaps the organizer should be in touch with a close family member (I always understood that close family members never actually host a shower but may be consulted).  Maybe they find out that the mother needs a crib, a rear-facing car seat, a stroller?  So the group can go together to provide this.  And maybe fill it up with other necessities:  diapers, sheets, receiving blankets, undershirts (onesies), sleepers, towels and wash cloths, a breast pump.   Many of these items are not gender specific. 

If the mother has the basics, and her friends just want to get together and shower her with gifts - then it does make more sense to have the shower after the birth.  Then you can buy all the cute little outfits, and a few books and toys, for mother and baby to enjoy - and pass the baby around and cuddle and hold and talk baby-talk to while enjoying the social time.

I have had a baby die at 20 weeks gestation. I'm not sure if a shower would have made the difficult time harder or not. My mom had sent a sweater and booties set. I kept the booties and gave away the sweater. My next baby didn't wear the booties.

The timing may be a regional thing. I was not an adult in Ontario or BC just in Alberta and NWT. Showers after bith are the only ones I have ever been to-or heard aboout until now.

and I wonder what happens in other parts of the world?