Baby Celebrations! Your "Out of the Box (or Belly)" Baby Shower Gift Guide

baby celebrations baby shower gifts doulas epi-no massage therapy out of the box pregnancy tea prenatal massage Jan 01, 2020

By Kim Vopni, The Vagina Coach — Certified Pelvic Floor Fitness Specialist · Published January 1, 2020

Smiling pregnant woman holding a pink baby shower gift bag with one hand resting on her bare baby bump

Direct Answer

The best baby shower gifts support the mom’s body, not just the nursery. Practical, out-of-the-box choices — an EPI-NO childbirth trainer, organic pregnancy tea, doula services, prenatal or postpartum massage, birth-prep coaching and a pelvic floor training app — give her confidence, an easier recovery and less stress long after the shower ends.

Key Takeaways

Practical, body-supporting gifts outlast the standard onesie or bath towel.
The EPI-NO Delphine Plus prepares the perineum for birth, is used before and after delivery, and lasts about five years.
Organic red raspberry leaf pregnancy tea is an affordable, thoughtful addition to any gift basket.
Doula support, prenatal or postpartum massage and birth-prep coaching make ideal group gifts when guests pool their money.
A pelvic floor training app teaches her to activate her pelvic floor and add it to movement through pregnancy and postpartum.

Practical Baby Shower Gift Ideas

A baby shower is a tradition in many countries, including here in Canada. The exact details of the custom differ culturally, and I have even observed differences native to certain regions of Canada, but the general motivation is the same: to shower a new mother with gifts (usually onesies, baby washcloths and often advice) before or shortly after the birth of her child.

Baby showers are an exciting opportunity to get together with family and friends and celebrate new life, but sometimes choosing the right gift can be a challenge for guests.

Whether you are the “woman of the hour” or a friend/family member needing the perfect gift, we rounded up our top selections for some unique, practical and supportive gifts for Mom.

If this is your shower, forward this blog link to your friends and family! If you are attending a shower, you can conveniently order (most of) these products online – just be sure to allow time for delivery.

EPI-NO Delphine Plus

This is a great gift idea for a shower that takes place a month or more before a woman’s due date. The EPI-NO prepares a woman for childbirth by allowing her to get in touch with her pelvic floor prepare the muscles and reduce the likelihood of tearing – what every mom to be wants to avoid!

The price can scare a few people off but the product is used before AND after the delivery and is good for 5 years so it is well worth the $197.00 investment.

Pregnancy Tea by Earth Mama

This red raspberry leaf tea is delicious and beneficial for pregnant moms. It can help ease the pains of labour and prepare the uterine wall for delivery. It is also high in essential nutrients for pregnancy. This makes a great, “Congratulations! You are pregnant!,” gift too.

Doula Services

This is like giving the gift of a gently supported birth. A trained doula is an integral part of a woman’s birth team, offering her knowledge, guidance and emotional encouragement prenatally, during delivery and in the delicate postpartum period.

This is a more expensive gift, so you can consider making it a group purchase.

Prenatal/Postpartum Massage

Anyone who has experienced time with a massage therapist knows the value of this health care ritual.

You can offer a prenatal massage, which will soothe her muscles and prepare her body for childbirth. You may also consider a postpartum massage, which will aid in her healing process and give her some downtime away from baby, when she can focus on her own health.

A great option for postpartum is Maya Abdominal Therapy, offered to those in the Vancouver area through Touchroot Bodywork, but this unique service is also available elsewhere and practitioners can be found here.

“Prepare to Push” Consultation or Workshop

My “Prepare to Push” program is designed to offer women valuable childbirth education to best prepare their core for the big day. A woman’s core is the area of the body most affected by pregnancy and birth so knowing how to prepare and how to repair is key!

In a one-on-one or group workshop format I lead women through a prenatal exercise that trains them for specific birth positions, proper alignment and breathing and how to best support the core as it heals postpartum with the aim of preventing mummy tummy, incontinence, tearing, and organ prolapse.

I encourage you to think of the baby shower as an opportunity to provide practical support and guidance to a new mom. Instead of the standard, used-a-few-times-then-discarded onesie or bath towel, you can give the mom what she truly needs – the gift of confidence, reduced stress and better healing.

A great Baby Shower Gift is my Buff Muff App. It teaches you how to activate your pelvic floor appropriately and then add it to movement. There is a ton of free content available to anyone who downloads the app including a 7-day pelvic floor fitness challenge to introduce you to the concept of a whole-body fitness approach to pelvic health. Once the free challenge ends you have the option to join the membership for ongoing support from me, your very own vagina coach. Check it out below...

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good practical baby shower gift? Gifts that support the mom’s body and her birth preparation are the most useful — a childbirth trainer, organic pregnancy tea, doula services, prenatal or postpartum massage, birth-prep coaching, or a pelvic floor training app she can use through pregnancy and recovery.

What is the EPI-NO Delphine Plus? The EPI-NO is a childbirth trainer that helps prepare the perineum and pelvic floor for birth. It is used before and after delivery, suits a shower held a month or more before the due date, and lasts about five years.

Is red raspberry leaf pregnancy tea a good baby shower gift? Yes. An organic pregnancy tea blend is an easy, affordable gift that many pregnant women enjoy. As with any herbal product, it is best for the mom to check with her midwife or doctor before drinking it regularly.

Can you give doula services as a baby shower gift? Absolutely. A doula is a trained, non-clinical member of the birth team who provides continuous physical and emotional support. Because doula care costs more than a typical gift, it works beautifully as a group purchase.

What are the best group gifts for a baby shower? Higher-value items are perfect for pooling money: doula services, a prenatal or postpartum massage package, Maya abdominal therapy, or a one-on-one birth preparation consultation. Everyone contributes what they can and the mom receives something genuinely useful.

How does a pelvic floor app help a pregnant or new mom? A pelvic floor app teaches her how to contract and relax the pelvic floor correctly, then layer that into movement. That skill supports her through pregnancy, birth and postpartum recovery and helps reduce leaking and pressure symptoms.

Kim Vopni, The Vagina Coach, certified pelvic floor fitness professional and menopause support practitioner

Kim Vopni, known as The Vagina Coach, is a certified fitness professional, menopause support practitioner, women’s health educator, and author specializing in pelvic floor health. For over 15 years she has helped women worldwide address issues like incontinence, organ prolapse, pelvic pain and core dysfunction through fitness and education. Kim is the creator of the Buff Muff Method and founder of Pelvienne Wellness Inc., and co-founder of Buff Muff Wellness Inc where she provides online programs, in person professional teacher training, and other resources designed to help women build lifelong pelvic health.

Credentials & Experience

Creator of the Buff Muff Method™
Founder of Pelvienne Wellness Inc.
Co-Founder of Buff Muff Wellness Inc.
Creator of Kegels & Cocktails™

Certified fitness professional specializing in pelvic health
Certified Menopause Support Practitioner
Author of multiple books on pelvic floor health
Speaker and educator featured on prominent media, podcasts and health platforms