The Sweet Spot Is the Third Trimester

Most baby showers take place between weeks 28 and 32 of pregnancy. That puts the event comfortably in the third trimester, after the halfway point has passed and before the physical demands of late pregnancy make attending a party feel like a chore.

At this stage, the pregnancy is highly visible and the excitement is at its peak. The gender, if the parents choose to find out, is typically known. The nursery is probably in progress. The mom-to-be is energized enough to enjoy the celebration without feeling exhausted by the effort of getting dressed and spending a few hours socializing. It is genuinely the moment where a shower feels most natural and most deserved.

Waiting until this point also gives everyone a sense of security. The first trimester carries the highest risk of complications, and many families prefer not to plan large celebrations until the pregnancy is well established. By weeks 28 to 32, most parents feel ready and eager to celebrate openly with the people they love.

Why Waiting Too Long Creates Problems

Scheduling a shower after week 36 sounds like it gives more time to prepare, but it tends to create more stress than it relieves. Late pregnancy is physically demanding. The mom-to-be may be dealing with swelling, fatigue, and general discomfort that makes sitting through a multi-hour event genuinely hard. Travel becomes more complicated, and there is always the possibility that labor could begin earlier than expected.

Beyond the physical side, a late shower leaves very little time to actually use the gifts before the baby arrives. One of the practical purposes of a shower is giving parents the chance to stock up on what they need before the newborn comes home. Hosting the event just a few weeks before the due date compresses that window considerably.

Week 36 is generally considered the latest a shower should take place for a straightforward single pregnancy. Anything after that carries real risk of the event being overshadowed by the arrival of the baby itself.

Earlier Showers Work in Certain Situations

Some families choose to hold the shower earlier, around weeks 24 to 27, and that can work well depending on the circumstances. A host who lives far away, a venue that books up quickly, or a work schedule that makes later dates difficult are all valid reasons to move things up slightly.

The one thing to keep in mind with an earlier shower is that the pregnancy bump is smaller and the reality of the baby can feel slightly more abstract to guests. The energy is still warm and celebratory, but the urgency and emotion that comes with a visibly advanced pregnancy is a bit more subdued. That is not a dealbreaker by any means, but it is worth factoring in when making the decision.

Multiple Babies Change the Timeline

Carrying twins or multiples typically means an earlier due date, and that shifts the ideal shower window accordingly. Doctors often recommend delivery for twin pregnancies between weeks 36 and 38, and sometimes earlier depending on the situation. Planning a shower for week 28 to 30 in a twin pregnancy makes a lot of sense and gives the family a comfortable buffer.

The host of a shower for a multiple pregnancy should also be prepared for a larger gift list and a slightly higher-energy celebration. Two babies means twice the excitement, and guests tend to arrive with that energy already running high.

Second Baby Showers Have Their Own Timing

A shower for a second or third baby is sometimes called a sprinkle, and the timing follows the same general guidelines. Weeks 28 to 32 remain the sweet spot. The scale tends to be smaller and the focus shifts more toward items the family actually needs rather than a full setup from scratch.

Some families skip a second shower entirely, and that is completely valid. Others find it meaningful to gather and celebrate each new arrival. There is no wrong answer, and the timing decision should reflect what feels right for the specific family rather than any strict rule.

How Far in Advance Should Planning Start

A shower in the third trimester means planning should kick off around weeks 20 to 22 at the latest. That gives the host roughly six to eight weeks to secure a venue, send invitations, plan the menu, and organize games and activities without any last-minute scrambling.

Venue availability is one of the biggest factors that pushes planning earlier than expected. A quality banquet hall in the northwest Chicago suburbs books up quickly, especially on weekends. Families planning showers in Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Rolling Meadows, or Arlington Heights should reach out to venues as soon as possible after the 20-week mark to lock in a date that works.

Starting early also gives out-of-town guests enough lead time to make travel arrangements. A save-the-date sent around week 22 followed by a formal invitation at week 26 gives everyone the information they need well in advance.

Putting It All Together

The ideal baby shower happens between weeks 28 and 32, planned at least six to eight weeks ahead of time, in a space that can comfortably accommodate everyone the family wants to celebrate with. That combination gives the mom-to-be a genuinely enjoyable experience, gives guests enough notice to attend, and gives the family time to prepare before the baby arrives.

Every pregnancy is different, and flexibility is always a good thing to build into the planning process. Having a clear target window and a venue secured early takes the pressure off everything else and lets the celebration be exactly what it should be.