Oh about the validity of baby showers, hubs and i talked alot about it when i was throwing one for my friend. We couldnt see what was wrong with inviting people over, sitting and chatting and giving the mommy to be some gifts and pampering. There was nothing else going on. Itw as like any other gathering but with presents for the baby. How could that be haram?
If that is all, many scholars say that it is okay, and not haraam; but they also add the caveat that is can be see as harm, because it's a borrowed tradition from Non-Muslims. So it's all about you intentions.
It's the same issue with birhdays, and valentine's day, etc, and the those wedding functions borrowed from Hindus...