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Congratulations! You’re expecting! Now you need to share the big news with your loved ones. Since news travels fast these days, it’s best to pause and make a plan about who you tell in what order and when. The tone of your message will be different depending on your personal style and who you are telling. Some people you’ll want to tell in person, while others you won’t be able to. Some people prefer to tell a wide range of friends and family, while others prefer to keep their good news just to their inner circle. And yes, pregnancy announcements are still a thing! Your pregnancy announcement can set the tone for future events, whether it’s by introducing a color scheme or a theme or just a certain tone/personality. This is such an exciting and special time. It can also be overwhelming, so we’ve created a roadmap to help you along the way.
Three to be designed by Lea Delaveris, printed by Minted
Most people wait until the end of the first trimester. But for every "rule", there are a million reasons to break them. The only unbreakable rule here is that you should do what feels comfortable for you. You may have close friends or family that you want to tell earlier. Or you may not want to tell people until very late in your pregnancy. This is entirely your choice.
You’ll want to tell your innermost circle first and then work your way out. First, you’ll want to tell close family and friends. Your next step, should you choose to take it, would be a social media post to your wider set of loved ones. Before you make that post though, do a quick mental check to make sure that there is no one who you’d like to make the announcement to yourself before posting on social media. Sometimes it helps to write down the list of people you’d like to tell personally and double check it with a partner or a friend. Remember, once you share your news on social media, you should imagine that the whole world knows!
This is probably the most special announcement you’ll make. You get to shape the moment when this person’s life is changed forever. Here are a few ideas for things you can say and do. Some are casual while others are more elaborate.
Hearts are Full by Mansi Verma
The people who are likely to be the next most excited about the new baby are the soon-to-be-grandparents. Here are some things you could say to them.
This is a really important person to tell! Making them feel included in your pregnancy will ease the transition to big sibling life. Many kids experience a mix of emotions at this news so setting the tone and sharing the news thoughtfully is a smart move. Ultimately, your child’s age and personality will be the biggest consideration. Get them big sis or big brother swag to get them excited about their new role. This could be a hat or a t-shirt. You could also give them a book about being a big sister or brother. Whatever you do, you’ll also want to accompany the baby announcement with some words that communicate your excitement and reassures them that this is a good change. Experts suggest being honest and age appropriate. You don’t need to wade into details that are beyond their comprehension. A variation on “We have really exciting news for you. You’re going to be a big [brother/sister]. Mom and Dad are having a baby!” should do the trick. Kids are so perceptive and they look to us for cues for how to feel about something, so you have a lot of power here to make them feel both safe and thrilled.
Later, when you’re telling a wider circle of friends and family you can enlist their help in sharing the big news by including them in your pregnancy and birth announcements. They’ll enjoy feeling included!
Only to Oldest by Sarah Brown
Once you’ve told those in your inner circle, it’s time to share your news more widely. Many people choose to send announcements in the mail in addition to a social media blast. This makes the news feel more personal. Plus, the announcement can double as a keepsake, so you’ll still want to send one to the loved ones you told individually (like grandparents). The card you choose will depend on your personal style. Some pregnancy announcement cards are informal or even funny, while others are more traditional. Choose the one that feels right to you! If you’re sending a note to a close friend, you can also handwrite a note on the back, to make it feel even more personal.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Sometimes a photo is all you need. You can go for something simple and straightforward like taking a photo of you and your partner with their hand on your belly or you can be holding a picture of a sonogram or baby clothes. Another classic choice: pose with a chalk board or letter board announcing the due date. Whatever photo you choose, it can all be added to your pregnancy announcement or they can be shared on social media. But if you’re looking for something truly unique, here are a few ideas:
Once you’ve gotten around to all your nearest and dearest, it’s time to share your news more widely (if you want!). In addition to whatever photo you post, you’ll want to include a caption. How much you share is entirely up to you. Some people like to share the expected due date, sex, or any details about their pregnancy journey like how they’re feeling. If there’s another sibling, you could also share the sibling’s reaction to the big news.
If you’re struggling to find the right words for your pregnancy announcement, you can use someone else’s. There are lots of quotes about children and pregnancy ranging from funny ones to heartfelt ones. Here are a few of our favorites:
Foxy Baby Shower by Hallie Fischer
Sweet Love by Juneau Designs
Many people like to share more information about their pregnancy journey in their social media pregnancy announcement. You should share as much or as little as you want. It’s all a question of comfort. Some things you can share, if you choose: how you’re feeling, any challenges you’ve experienced, how you found out you are expecting, how you told your partner, foods you’ve been craving, places you’ve traveled while pregnant, hopes for your child, how any siblings or pets received the news, birth plans, etc. Your message can be short and sweet or you can really get into the details. In the age of social media, anything is on the table.
Overlap by Brianne Larsen
If you already have a child (or a fur baby!), it’s a great idea to include them in the announcement. Your friends and family will love it, but also it’s meaningful for the sibling to feel like they’re a part of the big news. One way to do this is to tell it entirely from their perspective. For example, “James (3) is thrilled to announce that he’s going to be a big brother! He can wait to show them the ropes at the playground!” This works especially well if you pair a caption from their perspective with a sibling-centered photograph.
Yes! Many people like to send a paper announcement in addition to a social media blast. While the social media blast is great for spreading the word about your pregnancy far and wide, a paper announcement is more personal. Plus it doubles as a keepsake!
You should share this information with anyone you feel comfortable sharing with. With colleagues, you’ll want to think about the time that is most convenient for you. Some people wait until the first trimester is over, others tell their colleagues right away. With friends who are having trouble conceiving, you’ll want to base this off of your relationship with them. If you’re close with them, they will likely want to know your news and share in your joy, even if it reminds them that they’re still waiting for good news.
Yes! Both events are a big deal. People will be happy to hear from you both before and after the baby is born. Some people choose to send pregnancy announcements with a smaller group (for obvious reasons) and then share with a wider group once the baby is born.
The short answer is anyone you want to! Family, friends (think of all stages of life), neighbors, friends of your family, and work friends (Though it’s worth noting that it’s less common to send announcements to colleagues, unless you’re close work friends).
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