Infantabulous baby do!

These young and extremely creative Bengalurean couples are walking the extra mile to flaunt their baby bump. From quirky outdoors as venues for baby showers, to catchy graphic tees related to babies being on board and of course, the unique out-of-the-box maternity shoots — these people are out to break through every norm and show the world that a bun in the oven is a whole lot of fun.

From Dad-chelor parties to baby showers, the young Bengalurean doesn’t let the arrival of a new family member hinder pub scenes! For the clueless, a “dad-chelor party” is a baby shower thrown for a dad-to-be. “It’s almost like a rite of passage, your last few days of freedom before the responsibilities,” reminisces Aniruddha Roy, 33, an IT professional and a recent member of the fathers-club.

These parties are often themed and the themes range from something as stereotypically male as sports, to the ever so unique ones where everybody has to arrive in a baby costume! Similarly, young new mothers-to-be are being surprised with  showers of warm wishes and affection at pubs for the arriving baby. “The theme was Vintage,” says Shwetambari Rao, a lawyer, for her baby shower that was held at a pub in Indiranagar. “For return gifts, we had home-made baby shaped soaps and tiny vintage boxes with macaroons that were made by my sister. My brother-in-law took care of the flower decor with vintage flowers, vintage tea pots and little baby onesie cut-outs. Also, we often feel like the men are left out in these partiers so we gifted them with little Old Monk bottles,” she laughs, detailing her theme, adding, “We also did a photoshoot prior where I wore a shirt that said ‘I’m eating for two’ and my husband Rahul’s one said, ‘I’m drinking for three.’”

But pregnancy is also a time of many body and mood changes. “It’s a messy affair, agreed. Your body doesn’t feel like yours and everything makes it seem like the universe is out to irritate you; so the least you can do is make the most of it!” says 28-year-old Shraddha V, a school teacher, whose weekly routine is to go out in matching outfits with husband Kunal.

“Since he doesn’t have to undergo the physical changes, he shows his support by wearing tee shirts that say stuff like, ‘I DID IT!’” laughs the soon mom-to-be. “Mine says ‘Spoiler Alert: I’m Pregnant!’”

Even maternity photoshoots aren’t the simple blue and pink affair anymore. Anup Anthony, owner of Nevervoid Photography gives us a little insight, “I once did a shoot where the father held a sign towards the baby bump, which read, ‘I hope there are dragons in there!’” he enthuses, trying to portray how couples are opting to incorporate their fanaticism of Game of Thrones, etc into these shoots.

The rapid progression of pop culture is vibrant in almost every activity the young Bengalurean mothers-to-be are participating in. Gone are the days when pregnancy was a hushed-up affair, as these young, expecting moms are kicking patriarchal norms to the curb by enjoying every last bit of the miracle they are brewing!