Grandma Showers and Other Top Pregnancy Trends for 2014

Wondering what will make it big in the pregnancy world this year? From unique shower ideas and nicknames as first names to textures and prints in baby's nursery, take a peek at the hottest pregnancy trends to know about in 2014. Get ready for a year of serious style!

By Kylie McConville for TheBump.com


Thinkstock / The Bump
Thinkstock / The Bump

Raising the "Barre" on Prenatal Exercise

We know -- yoga and Pilates are tried and true ways to stay in shape and feel great when you're expecting, but who doesn't get tired of the same-old workouts? This year, expect to see tons of barre classes popping up in your neighborhood! The latest fitness regimen utilizes the ballet barre for a full-body workout that's also low-impact (perfect for mamas-to-be!). Thanks to Pure Barre, Xtend Barre, the Bar Method and more, prenatal fitness never looked (or felt!) so good.


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Thinkstock / The Bump
Thinkstock / The Bump

Notable Nicknames

Noticing more and more Kates, Charlies, Maggies and Alexs at your mommy-and-me classes than ever before? There's a good reason! Parents are choosing nicknames over the traditional full-length monikers, so you can expect to see the trend gaining some serious traction this year. Another big hit in the name world? Unisex names. Parents-to-be are picking names that take the stress out of sticking to classic boy or girl ones. (A few we love? Bailey, Dylan, Hadley, Kai, Kennedy and Rowan.)







Making a Social Statement

Don't expect a call, text or email announcing your friend's pregnancy in 2014. Last year was the year of creative gender reveals, but this year, parents will be upping the ante with their pregnancy announcements. According to The Bump #SocialMoms survey, 63 percent of moms used social media first to announce their pregnancy - so you can assume this year's announcements will be more entertaining and viral than ever. From bare-bellied sonogram sketches featuring a fetus inside the womb and coffee stencils that leave the words "I'm pregnant" outlined in your drink to YouTube rap videos revealing a bun in the oven, over-the-top pregnancy announcements will be constantly popping up on your newsfeed.




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Registering for Relaxation

Sure, expectant moms will still register for baby gear in 2014, but they'll also be requesting memorable experiences from friends and family. New to the game are experiential registries that allow the parents-to-be to register for massages, date nights, wine nights (after baby is born!) and other treats that they can use before or after baby arrives to keep the romance alive (and to feel like your prebaby selves again!).









Tech, Please!

It's no surprise that in this tech-savvy world moms are craving innovative gear for baby as well. Car seats that install themselves, onesies equipped with a chip that informs you of baby's actions and monitors that snap photos and videos (and send them to straight to your iPhone) are just a few of today's tech-inspired products that mamas will be researching and registering for.









Grandma Showers

Yep, you read that right! Not only does the mom-to-be get showered with gifts, but now grandma-to-be gets her own supply of baby gear too. With more and more baby boomer parents taking on the role of nanny to their grandchildren, moms-to-be are registering for doubles (and in some cases, triples!) of the must-haves, like car seats, strollers and high chairs, for their parents. With a grandma shower, friends get together and gift her with the essentials for taking care of her new grandbaby on the way.







Seriously Stylish Nurseries

Gone are the days of chevron and accent walls in the nursery. This year, nursery design is stepping up in a big (grown-up) way. Abstract art, big prints, bright colors, bold shapes and totally contrasting textures (think: felt plush toys, leather gliders, velour accents and faux-fur hangings) will make a serious style statement in baby's room. The reason for it? Moms and dads are taking more daring risks when it comes to outfitting a room for baby that they'll enjoy spending time in too. The adult finishes make the room one that baby can grow into, instead of the traditional sweet nurseries that baby so quickly grows out of.








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