How To Announce Your Pregnancy

Finding out that you are pregnant is one of the most wonderful experiences a couple can share. So how do you go about announcing your pregnancy to your friends and loved ones? Here are some suggestions:

1. Wait a few weeks. While it may be tempting to shout your happy news out from the top of a mountain, those first few early weeks of pregnancy can be tricky. You may want to wait until you at least have your first appointment with your obstetrician before you tell people about your pregnancy. Why? Your obstetrician will likely take blood work to make sure that your HCG levels are rising appropriately and you may even be sent for an early ultrasound to see your baby's heartbeat. Once you see that your pregnancy is indeed progressing as it should be, you can feel more at ease to share your news.
2. Show off the ultrasound picture. You will likely have an ultrasound in the first trimester (during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy). This can be a fun way to announce your pregnancy. You can tell friends and loved ones that you have a picture that you want to show them. Watch for their surprise when you show them the ultrasound photo of your soon-to-be-born little one!
3. Send a card. If a holiday or birthday is coming up, you can use greeting cards to announce your pregnancy. For example, send your mother a birthday card addressed to "Grandmom". She may be confused at first, until you sign the card "With love from your baby grandchild, due April 21st" (put your own due date on the card). When she receives this special greeting card, then "Grandmom" will understand what is going on!
4. Give a gift. You can wrap up a jar of baby food, a baby bib or a pacifier and give it as a gift. The recipient may give you the third degree before it finally sinks it, but rest assured they will figure it out. If it's holiday time, put a clue in a Christmas stocking or a plastic Easter egg.
5. Let your other children in on the action. If you have an older child, buy him or her a t-shirt that says "Future Big Brother" or "Future Big Sister." That will definitely get the tongues wagging and your "secret" won't be a secret anymore.
6. Surprise your partner. If the pregnancy is a happy surprise and you have not yet told the baby's father, surprise him with the positive pregnancy test. You can hide it somewhere where he is sure to find it or just leave it "laying around". He may not now what it is at first, but if he sees the empty pregnancy kit box in the trash can he will likely put two and two together.