When to Announce Pregnancy

 

Whether you decide to wait until the second trimester to tell anyone your big news, employ a slow roll-out on a need-to-know basis, or spill the beans to everyone right away—there’s no wrong way to announce your pregnancy. But, there are a few things you might want to consider.

Why wait?

Many women choose to wait until after the first 12 weeks, simply because the vast majority of miscarriages happen during that time. In the event of a loss, the thought of having to spread the news to everyone who knew about the pregnancy might be overwhelming. As an alternative, you could wait until after your first prenatal appointment confirming your pregnancy, after you hear baby’s heartbeat for the first time, or after your first ultrasound.

When to spread the word

If you’re so excited that you can’t imagine keeping this news to yourself, then by all means—tell people! In some cases, even if you had planned to keep the pregnancy to yourself for a few more weeks, it might be wise to at least tell a few key people. 

At work

If your job requires physical labor or other activities that might not be safe during pregnancy, then you really have no choice but to tell your employer right away. Other reasons to tell your boss include: 

  • You’ll be protected from discrimination and can ask for workplace accommodations under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978. 

  • You won’t have to think up excuses to leave for medical appointments. 

  • If you’re experiencing severe fatigue or nausea, it might be difficult to hide the fact that you’re pregnant. 

  • You’ll have more time to discuss your options for maternity leave. 

With family and friends

You might like to tell just your family, or just a few close friends, before letting the world know that you’re pregnant. It’s like the best of both worlds: you can share the excitement with those who mean the most to you, but if something goes wrong, you won’t have to worry about explaining it to everyone you see. Just keep in mind that if these folks can’t keep a secret, then the world might find out before you’re ready.