Looking for ideas on running a baby shower party? Take a look at our How to Organise a Baby Shower Party guide.

1. The 1st thing you need is ADVICE - read what you can, but trust your instincts. Follow what is right for you. And don't leave all your reading about what to do with a baby for after the birth, as by then you probably won't have enough time to pick up a book!!

2. Your body - It is uncertain to whether you can prevent stretchmarks or not as it may be down to genetics, but the benchmark product to use is Clarins Tonic Oil (£30). I used this during all 4 of my pregnancies and I swear by it! Earth Mama Angel Baby New Mama Bottom Spray is ideal for dosing your sore nether region after the birth of your baby.

When everything else is stretched and swollen, your feet are one area you can keep looking good. A well-polished toe will shout "I still care," to the world. Opt for a pedicure that offers a foot massage, too, as your feet are often throbbing from carrying the extra weight.

3. What to eat? - It is wise to eat plenty of foods naturally rich in folic acid on top of your supplement.Asparagus, black-eyed beans and brussel sprouts are especially good, along with broccoli, spring greens, green beans, peas and chick peas.There is no need to eat for 2! A woman who is not underweight when she begins her pregnancy nedds just 200 calories extra per day. This is equivalent to a couple of slices of toast with butter, a fruit scone or a smoothie drink.

4. Fitness - Unless you are at serious risk of miscarriage, don't give up your regime - just modify it. Keeping your muscles toned and strenghening your pelvic floor muscles (by squeezing them throughout the day), will help you in labour. Listen to your body. If you feel uncomfortable or in pain at any time, stop exercising.

5. Train your Brain - One way to a calm birth is to learn the buzz technique of the moment - Natal Hypnotherapy. You can take a course privately, in a group or teach yourself with home CDs. Successful parents swear hynotherapy is responsible for chilled babies.

6. What to Wear - Give into those elasticated-waistband trousers for slobbing out at home!! It'll feel like heaven after the office and be your most treasured item! Go mad with accessories as dressing up in them helps you feel more feminine as your body shape changes. And the choice is yours to whether you show off your bump or hide it!

7. HOT TIPS! Ginger is recommended for morning sickness. For a quick fix, grate an inch of fresh ginger into a mug and fill with boiling water. Infuse for 10 minutes, strain and drink.

GIFT IDEAS

Are you planning a Baby Shower or attending one and not sure what to take as a gift? Well we will try to help you. Here at Shower My Baby we have a lovely range of Stylish and Unique Gifts plus a range of Original Personalised Gifts.

1. Don't forget Mum!

Often Mum has bought lots of items for her new baby prior to the birth as she is so excited. Therefore why not buy a gift just for Mum? We suggest items such as a voucher for a beauty treatment, a voucher for her favourite hair salon, pampering bath & body products, a candle lit dinner voucher for 2 at her favourite restaurant, a box of her favourite chocolates and bottle of wine or champagne to celebrate baby's arrival and so on. You know Mum and what would be special to her.

If you want to treat Mum to a lovely treatment, we have found 2 which appear to come out tops. The 1st is the Elemis Nurturing Massage for Mother-to-be (from £50 for 75mins), which is performed while you lean back against a large beanbag. The 2nd is the Space NK Pregnancy Massage, adapted for each of the timesters. The ability to lie on your front will be a treat in itself! (£100 for 90mins).

2. Baby's 1st......

Help the new parents to celebrate the milestones in baby's early life such as 1st smile, 1st curl, 1st tooth, 1st step, 1st word etc. Buy a gift specific to that milestone. Some examples are Keepsake Tins & Boxes, Photo Albums & Frames, Baby Record books, Tooth & Curl boxes, Time Tins and so on.

3. Around the Clock

Choose gifts specific to certain times of baby's day. Nap time, Bath time, Nappy changing time, Feeding time etc. Gifts may include nappies, bath products, bibs, bath toys & thermometer, towels, comfort blanket, weaning set, nappy stacker and so on. Guests could also offer a tip along with their gift.

4. Baby's Nursery

Mum may have chosen a range of decorations & bedding for the Nursery. You could take gifts such as pictures, cot mobile, lampshade and other room accessories in the chosen theme.

5. Baby's First Library

Each guest can take a book as a gift. Mum may be collecting a particular range of baby books. All babies love to look at books and listen to stories. Nursery rhyme books are always a favourite.

6. A - Z

Each guest is assigned a letter when invited to the baby shower. The idea is to take a gift that begins with their given letter.

7. Noah's Ark

The animals went in two by two. A perfect gift theme for twins as guests take 2 of everything!

An Idea to add that personal touch to your Baby Shower Party

More and more we are making and designing our own Baby Shower Invitations to give our guests that special personal touch. At Shower My Baby we think it is a lovely idea to include a poem into your Invitations, Thank you cards, Guest favours etc. We use a poem also on our personalised bookmarks. We have suggested a few for you, but we would love you to send your special poems to us for others to share.

A beautiful treasure, More precious than gold, My own special baby, To Love and to hold.

Babies are Angels that fly to the earth, Their wings disappear at the time of their birth,
One look in their eyes and we're never the same, They're part of us now and that part has a name. That part is your heart and a bond that won't sever, Our Babies are Angels, We love them forever.

Precious one, So small, So sweet, Dancing in on angel feet, Straight from Heaven's brightest star, What a miracle baby you are.

A baby is cuddles and tickles on toes, the sweet scent of powder, a kiss on the nose! A baby is teddy bears, rattles, and pins, meals at midnight...giggles and grins. 

We hope we have given you some good ideas for your Baby Shower parties and enjoy the rest of the Shower My Baby site. We always love to receive comments and suggestions from you so do please send them in.