Pregnancy Announcement
From LoveToKnow Pregnancy
After you find out that you are having a baby, the next big step is to decide when and how to make the pregnancy announcement to friends and family.
When to Make Your Pregnancy Announcement
Telling family and friends about your upcoming baby is a joyous occasion. You and your partner should discuss when you feel comfortable telling everyone the news. The most often recommended waiting period for announcing is after the first trimester. However, when you tell really depends on your situation and personal preferences.
Some couples choose to tell everyone right away. This is often the case for couples who have announced they had been trying to conceive. Others feel they would want the support from immediate family and close friends should a problem arise. Of course, some simply want to share the momentous occasion immediately so everyone can join in their happiness.
Waiting until eight or twelve weeks is a time period many couples choose. They feel more comfortable telling their news after this time because risk of miscarriage is lower. For some couples, it is an intimate secret they want to keep to themselves for a short period of time. And for others, a “surprise” pregnancy may take a little getting used to before telling the rest of the world.
Pregnancy announcements made much after the sixteenth week of pregnancy are often due to unusual circumstances. Perhaps the couple was waiting for a major holiday to tell everyone at once. If they live far from family, maybe they waited until everyone was gathered together. Unfortunately, some couples do have problems early on and choose to wait until the issues have been resolved.
How to Make Your Announcement
Once you and your partner have decided on an acceptable time frame for sharing the news, decide how you want to tell everyone. Some couples simply choose to call people or tell them in person as they see them. However, a lot of couples want to make the announcement special for grandparents and soon to be aunts and uncles.
One unique idea is to find a t-shirt that shares the news. Shirts such as Baby Under Construction or Birth Control is for Sissies are popular, as are ones that proclaim “1+1=3.” You could also get a t-shirt for the dad-to-be and let him spread the happy news.
Having your pet make the announcement is another unique and fun way to spread the word, with a little shirt or bandana that says “Baby’s Guard Dog” or similar phrase. If you know your due date, have a t-shirt made that tells your baby’s birthday. Check out more t-shirt announcements at Café Press.
Other fun ways to tell family that you are pregnant include:
- Slipping a photo of a positive test in with other photographs people are looking at.
- Purchasing “grandma,” “grandpa,” and “aunt/uncle” shirts, mugs, or picture frames as gifts at holidays.
- Buying baby bibs and putting them into stockings, Easter eggs, etc.
- Have everyone over for dinner and serve baby peas, baby carrots, and other “baby” foods.
- Buy a pair of baby shoes and tell your family you just have to show them the great shoes you bought the other day
- Place a small hamburger bun in your oven. Tell your family that you think you left something in there, and ask if they could go check on it.
- Buy a car seat and install it in your car. Tell your family they have to check out the newest work you had your mechanic do.
Ideas like gifts work best if family is far from you. But, if they are close by, you can have some fun and see how long it takes them to figure out your news.
Announcing a Second Pregnancy
The best way to make a pregnancy announcement for a second child is through your first. If your child cannot talk yet, buy him/her a shirt that says “I’m the Big Sister!" or "I'm the Big Brother!” and see how long it takes everyone to notice the words.
If your child can talk, have him/her tell everyone a “big secret.” Tell your child to go around individually to everyone and whisper it in their ear. Not only is this a fun way to tell family and friends, but a good way to get your firstborn involved and excited about the new baby.
No matter when you share your news or how you tell everyone, it will be the right way for you and your partner.
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