Pregnancy announcements

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:

Wait a few weeks. While it may be tempting to shout your happy news out from the top of a mountain, those first few earlyweeks of pregnancy can be tricky. You may want to wait until you at least have your first appointment with your Dr. before you tell people about your pregnancy. Why? Once you see that your pregnancy is indeed progressing as it should be, you can feel more at ease to share your news.
Show off the ultrasound picture. You will likely have an ultrasound in the first trimester . 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!
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!
Give a gift. You can wrap up a jar ofbaby 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.
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.
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 no 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.

Sharing the News Early

Advantages
Lots of support right from the start, which can make the stages of pregnancy less overwhelming
Able to share with others in your joy
Added help in making decisions
In case of miscarriage, you will have lots of support
Disadvantages
Advice can be overwhelming
If you miscarry it means you’ll have to do a lot of explaining
The news may get to friends and family before you do!

Waiting to Tell People You’re Pregnant

Advantages
Have time to make your own decisions without influence of others
If you miscarry, you won’t have to take back the announcement
You won’t have to contend with too much advice

Disadvantages
If you miscarry, others won’t understand your grief
No help/support/advice from others
May offend certain members of your family/friends
Possible risk of isolation

Most people choose to wait until after the first trimester, when the risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy have been significantly reduced. Others wait untilsigns of pregancy , such as a pregnant belly, begin to show. Whatever your choice, don’t let others pressure you. This is your special news, and it should be shared when you feel comfortable doing so.

Fun Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy

When you do decide the time is right to share the news of your pregnancy with others, don’t let yourself get tongue-tied! There are tons of fun and creative ways to announce your pregnancy that will be well received by all! Here are a few suggestions:

Put the news inside a pink or blue balloon and let the person you’re telling pop it
For your partner, try leaving out the pregnancy test where you know he might find it
Buy a suitably sloganed t-shirt and reveal it to family and friends
For those who are looking for a more dramatic approach, try a public announcement. For example, when at a local sports game have the announcer share the news.
For pregnancy announcements that come around the holidays, try incorporating a theme into your announcement. For example, for Easter, try placing your message into a hollow egg; if you become pregnant around Christmas, buy baby stockings and gift them to friends or family!
If you want to announce your pregnancy to friends and family who are long distance, you can mail them a pregnancy announcement card giving them all the details (such as your pregnancy due date and even a picture of your pregnant belly), or you can also try sending out interactive e-cards every so often that’ll keep your loved ones up-to-date on the different stages of your pregnancy