I don't know many people that have had a baby shower tbh.
Thats the thing, I wouldn't dream of the extravagant things either. I'd be chuffed if they decided to all turn up at my house together one day and said surprise! It really doesn't need to be a "shower" just something to make me feel a bit better and supported. I haven't even seen a couple of my friends since I told them I was pregnant. I think if no one mentions anything I might just suggest lunch but don't put the label on it so that no one feels like they need to come. Guess if people are interested pr bothered then they will make an effort once in a while!
I wouldn't ask someone to spend their money, if anyone suggested it I'd cover all costs. I think it's just cause my friends had one each years ago when their kids were born, work colleagues that have been pregnant have had even small get together and I just feel a bit left out! I'm sure I'll get over it by tomorrow!!I don't know many people that have had a baby shower tbh.
I've never had one, nor have I ever been asked of I'm having one.
I've had quite a few pregnant friends and they've never had one nor asked me if I was having one.
I don't think that many people have them tbh.
I think if you want one, you either ask someone to arrange one, but then I wouldn't expect anyone to spend money out on a party for myself or arrange it yourself?
Yeh that's it. I would love to do a picnic type thing but I'm due later in the year so the good weather will probably be gone by then
so I'll more than likely suggest a lunch.I guess there's a good chance that all those people either organised their own or asked their family to do it for them.
I arranged my own baby shower at 32 weeks and did it at my house so I could spend time in the week before setting things up. Im 35 and have waited a long long time for this baby, I had an idea in my head of how I wanted it to be and arranging it myself was the least stressful way of doing it!
Maybe, my friends mostly have sisters who arranged them but not sure if they were asked/volunteered!I guess there's a good chance that all those people either organised their own or asked their family to do it for them.
I think if it's something you want, maybe ask around, see if anyone would arrange one
I just think especially in the UK, it isn't so much of a thing to presume people are having one.
). 
I’m the same I know exactly how I want it so excited to organise it myselfI arranged my own baby shower at 32 weeks and did it at my house so I could spend time in the week before setting things up. Im 35 and have waited a long long time for this baby, I had an idea in my head of how I wanted it to be and arranging it myself was the least stressful way of doing it!
I have a few separate small groups of friends and family who don’t all get along so it was easier as I had a friend who wanted to do a small one for me and not invite others but I didn’t want that! She kept saying “you shouldn’t be doing your own” which was annoying because why not! but I knew I wouldn’t get the baby shower I’d envisaged if I didn’t plan it myself plus I hate surprises.
After I said I was planning it, I then had friends and family volunteer to help with things like my mum organised food and my sister planned games, friends helped set up.
I also said not to bother with gifts because I was made to feel bad for doing it myself but everyone got gifts anyway but it was a really beautiful day I’m glad I did it my way
Haha maybe not quite the "surprise" element, but for the likes of my mum, MIL and a few friends to just turn up wouldn't faze me in the slightest. I don't really want to plan a baby shower incase people think I just want gifts. So I think I'll just wait a few weeks or so and suggest a few come for lunch or go out for lunch. That way no pressure on anyone esp me to get ready, I currently live in leggings, no makeup and my hair scraped backI think it’s a bit unrealistic that they’d just show up and say ‘surprise!!’. So much is drilled into you about how tired pregnant people are, want rest/alone time/quiet time etc that I’d never dream of planning one for someone as a surprise or just showing up when they could be napping or generally not having the best day. Likewise if I was planned a surprise one I’d probably be slightly fuming as you want time to prepare yourself to feel your best, get a nice dress or something, or even just brush your hair (am I the only person that spent too much of pregnancy slobbing around?
I think certain generations wouldn’t think to even mention one, and perhaps nor would friends without kids. Mention you’d like one, but don’t feel put out if you end up planning it yourself. I planned most of my own
I think that’s the way to go with it, you could just say it would be nice to go out for lunch etc and see where it goes from there? I didn’t have one, I was slightly tempted to have a lunch or afternoon tea or something but my friends are all dotted around so would have been a pain. Like 10 people asked me if I was having a baby shower, and only one even vaguely said when I got to about 8 months pregnant (childless) “should I have planned you a shower”Haha maybe not quite the "surprise" element, but for the likes of my mum, MIL and a few friends to just turn up wouldn't faze me in the slightest. I don't really want to plan a baby shower incase people think I just want gifts. So I think I'll just wait a few weeks or so and suggest a few come for lunch or go out for lunch. That way no pressure on anyone esp me to get ready, I currently live in leggings, no makeup and my hair scraped back
it’s quite a personal thing, they can vary so much, I went to one where I got massively pissed and we played a game called “pregnant or porn” then I went to another one where we did sewing With my first I went back at 7 months and with this one it’ll be 6 absolutely max; both times pregnancy was a surprise and tied in timing wise with buying our first house then renovating when we moved so all our savings had just been spent as we found out. At the moment I’m the higher earner so whilst I’d love to spend the year with this baby, I’d love not being homeless more!Has anyone planned on not taking a longer time off? I work for family and am so worried that maternity money won’t be enough to live on for a long period of time for me/us. I’m never going to be completely away from it but I’m finding the comments about how I’m bound to change my mind/things will be cheaper () while I’m off absolutely grinding my gears at the moment. It’s not that I don’t want to spend time with my baby, which I of course will be doing, but I’m also not getting myself in a dark hole of debt while off
seems like I’m in for a long day. Been on a walk around the block and I had five between a short time and now I’m back nothing? 
This was me with my first. My contractions were all over the place. I went to hospital when I felt I couldn’t cope with the pain anymore rather than timing contractions (they told me 3mins at times I was 20mins!). When I went in my contractions had completely stopped but I was 5cm (I had contractions for 24hrs at that point). Trust your gut is my advice on this but all sounds positive so fingers crossed for you39 weeks tomorrow how ever I woke up around 4am with a contraction pain and been having them since then. Also been getting bloody discharge coming away when wiping. Contractions have been from every 4 mins to back up to 10
My early labour was similar with my first. Mine would really ramp up if I went for a walk. Try and do some bouncing on a birthing ball/figure of 8’s. Get all the rest you can and keep nibbling snacks/drinking water.39 weeks tomorrow how ever I woke up around 4am with a contraction pain and been having them since then. Also been getting bloody discharge coming away when wiping. Contractions have been from every 4 mins to back up to 10
I had another walk and a bath and they’ve definitely got stronger but still no proper pattern. I thought third babies were meant to be the easiest and fastest? 
No advice to offer but good luck!! Hope it speeds up soon, I can't imagine how uncomfortable it isStill here
