Finding out you are pregnant can be a joyous time in your life, but there can also be some very mixed emotions about who and when and how to tell…

“Will my boss try to fire me or think I can’t do my job as well?”

“Will my coworkers look down on me?”

“Will my family and friends be excited for me or will they make rude comments?”

“And, what if something goes wrong – it would be horrible to have to go back and tell everyone that things have changed…”

WHEN TO TELL…

While there is no one PROPER way to announce your great news, there are a lot of thoughts on the subject. Some people feel that telling others at the getgo will also mean more support if something should happen. Some people choose to wait until after the first trimester to announce their news, once miscarriage rates drop significantly. Still others tell their closest friends and family first and wait to announce it to the world only after the first trimester has ended. But, whichever you choose to go with, it should be something YOU feel comfortable with.

HOW TO TELL…

So, you’re pregnant and you’ve decided to spread the news…but HOW? Again, there is no right way or wrong way, and it’s only limited by your creativity (or your ability to search google). But, here are a few ideas to get you started:

-For your Christmas Cards this year, use a picture of your ultrasound to announce the news.

-Say it with a gift. Buy some booties, a bib, or other “baby stuff” and wrap it up to give as a gift. If it’s not around a normal gift giving time, you can call it a “just because” gift. Also, if the person you are telling is a first-time dad, grandparent, etc. consider buying them a “dad” (or whatever) item (like a keychain that says “DAD”).

-Buy some of the plastic babies like those put in Mardi Gras cakes and hide it in one of your cakes. Serve up the cake and when someone finds the babe, you can hand them a note or just announce the good news.

-Wrap up the pregnancy test as a gift.

-Make your own fortune cookies and write your own message – it can be cute or hilarious. Then, give them out at dinner, regardless of what’s on the menu!

-One couple just bought a new home around the time they found out their good news. They made a video, touring the house explaining what each room was and when they got to the extra bedroom, they announced “And, here’s the baby’s room!” The video was shown online for their friends.

-Or, you can make a shirt…like this one…and show up with your child wearing it and not say a word (and email the photo to those far away):

(read the shirt)

And yes, I have an announcement.

Welcome back!