Finding out that you're pregnant is one of the most exciting and life-changing events of your life. Now that you've learned the good news, how to tell your family you're pregnant has probably crossed your mind once or twice.
You may have lots of thoughts swirling around your head during this early stage. Is it ok to tell your family you're pregnant now? What is the best way to announce it, and how long should you wait to tell your family you're pregnant?
We'll explore 25 fun pregnancy announcement ideas to share the news with your family and friends.
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25 Ideas to Tell Friends and Family You're Pregnant
Whether you're pregnant for the first time or the fourth time, you're likely feeling a mix of emotions. Aside from staying healthy and getting the sleep you need when you're expecting, your mind is probably thinking about the registry, nursery, and everything else you need to prepare.
You might be starting to think of ideas on how to tell family you have a bun in the oven and not just that but how soon to tell family you're pregnant. It might be hard to keep the secret to yourself, which is no surprise given the excitement and life-changing time this is.
Read on for our complete list of fun ways to tell family you're pregnant and find one that feels right for you.
- How to Tell Family You're Pregnant
- How to Tell Family You're Expecting Multiples
- Tips for Telling Family in Person
- Announcing Your Pregnancy Virtually
- Sharing the News with Extended Family
- When to Tell Family You're Pregnant
How to Tell Family You're Pregnant
How and when to tell your close family and friends you're pregnant is a personal decision and looks different for everyone. If you haven't already, be sure to tell your partner so they can provide support and get involved early on.
Many of the decisions can be made together, easing some of the stress you may feel.
Don't worry, we haven't left the partners out! Take a look at our Partner's Guide to Pregnancy for sharing on this journey with you.
Many times Mom and Dad prefer to tell immediate family first, but there is no rulebook here!
- Give Them a Onesie
- Framed Ultrasound Photo
- Make a Video
- Ask Them to Add it to Their Calendar
- Buy Fake Lottery Tickets
Give Them a Onesie
Probably the most popular way to tell family you're pregnant is with a onesie, and for good reason! It's a simple and effective way to communicate you're pregnant without having to say a word.
Once the baby arrives, you can never have too many onesies, and there are unlimited options to choose from.
Framed Ultrasound Photo
Another common way to share your pregnancy is to show the baby's first photos. Buy a nice frame for the ultrasound picture and give it to your family wrapped in a cute gift box.
Not only does it serve as a cute announcement, but it will also be a lovely keepsake they can display in their home forever.
Make a Video
If you and your partner are creative and don't mind being in front of the camera, make your family a video where you reveal the big news! You can share this with them at any time and watch their faces as they take it all in.
You can even document their reactions by discreetly taking a video of them watching!
Ask Them to Add it to Their Calendar
Does your family keep a monthly calendar at home for appointments and birthdays? Surprise your family by marking your due date on the calendar. The next time you are in their home, casually ask them to turn to the month you are due because there's something you need them to add.
Make sure they have a pen handy, although they likely will be too excited to use it!
Buy Fake Lottery Tickets
If your family enjoys the occasional scratch off lottery ticket, buy a custom one online. You can decide what details you include hidden on the scratch off.
Although they won't be winning any money, we're sure they'll feel just as lucky and excited when the message is revealed.
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How to Tell Family You're Pregnant with Multiples
The news of a pregnancy with multiples will come with another level of shock and excitement from your family and friends, so have fun with it! This is a chance to get creative. If you're struggling with ideas, check out some of our favorite ways to announce that you are pregnant with multiples.
Onesies for Multiples
You can find almost anything on the internet, including clever onesies for twins, triplets, and more that you can use to announce your pregnancy.
Some examples include: double trouble, Thing 1 and Thing 2, wombmates, and copy/paste. Your family may recognize right away that you're pregnant, but it might take them a minute to realize it's with more than one!
Show it With Your Feet
There is not much cuter than tiny baby shoes, and we love the idea of using them for pregnancy announcements.
Take a photo of your family's feet (any pets and other siblings can be included, too!) with the corresponding number of baby shoes to represent your new additions on the way.
Ultrasound Pictures
If you've had your first ultrasound, show off your babies' first pictures. Since most people aren't familiar with deciphering the components of an ultrasound photo, you may have to give grandma and grandpa a little hint by pointing out each growing baby.
Make it a Math Problem
This clever idea might take a few seconds for your family to figure out, depending on their mental math skills. Take a photo of each member of your family in a row, and edit the photo to add plus signs in between.
Then, to the right of everyone, place an equal sign with the appropriate total number of your new family size. To make it easier, you could have siblings dress in “big brother” and “big sister” shirts.
Enlist the Help of Your Pet
If you have other children or even pets in your family, enlist them to assist with your pregnancy announcement. For example, buy a dog bandana to announce the new sibling. Or for kids, dress them up in t-shirts that reveal the new baby siblings on their way.
Confused by baby product safety information? We've got a guide for that, too, so you can make safe product decisions for you and your baby.
How to Tell Family You're Pregnant in Person
If you are lucky enough to live near your family, make the announcement to them in person so they can share their excitement and celebrate with you. Announcing in person gives you even more opportunities to get creative.
Make it fun and put your own unique spin on it! An in person announcement can include your immediate family and anyone else in your inner circle.
Play a Game
Does your family have a regular game night? Use it as a fun way to tell your family that you're pregnant. Spell it out during a game of Scrabble, or act it out during Charades. If you are good at drawing, try announcing during a game of Pictionary.
Invite Them Over for Coffee
If your family loves having coffee or tea together, invite them over and buy a few special coffee mugs for the occasion. You can find some online that hide the announcement at the bottom of the mug.
Whoever finishes their coffee first will be in for an extra surprise!
Say it With a Puzzle
Puzzles are another fun way to announce your pregnancy during a relaxed family hang out. Buy a custom puzzle online to include whatever details (or even photos) you'd like.
Aim for a less challenging puzzle; you don't want them to give up before seeing the message!
Buy a Banner
If you don't want your family to work too hard to figure out your pregnancy announcement, go with a banner that you can display the next time they come over.
There are plenty of options online and you can even customize them to say whatever you'd like.
Say it With Sweets
If your family has a sweet tooth, this is a fun and delicious way to tell them you are pregnant. If you enjoy baking, make a cake and write out a message on top. You can do this with almost any dessert.
If you'd rather not bake yourself, no problem! Ask your local bakery what they can come up with.
How to Tell Family You're Pregnant Virtually
If your family lives far away and you're not able to announce the pregnancy to them in person, we've thought of you, too. When thinking about how to tell family you're pregnant long distance, many of the same ideas apply!
Snail Mail
A handwritten card is a classic way to announce your pregnancy and also a keepsake they can cherish forever. If your parents are going to be grandparents for the first time, find a card that congratulates them on this special promotion.
There are so many clever options out there to choose from.
Treat yourself, mama! Check out our list of fun things to do before you're due.
Phone Call
The next time you are on a phone call with your family, start mentioning any pregnancy symptoms that you have. Maybe you are extra tired, have intense cravings or aversions to certain foods, or have terrible nausea in the morning.
See how long it takes for your family members to connect the dots!
Send a Package
Gather a few practical baby items that you might need during an in-person visit to your family's home. A few onesies, a bottle, pacifier, and maybe even a blanket.
Wrap everything up in a nice package to send them with an optional note to 'call before opening on the box' so you can hear their reaction.
Family FaceTime
If you often FaceTime with your family, show up for the next FaceTime with a 'mom-to-be' shirt or hat. See how long it takes for your family to notice! Have your ultrasound photo or positive pregnancy test ready to show when they find out the exciting news.
Send a Text
If your family prefers texting over phone calls, tell them you're pregnant via text. Send a photo of your ultrasound to the family group text, but be prepared for a swarm of phone calls afterwards to congratulate you and share in your excitement!
How to Tell Extended Family You're Pregnant
So you've told your immediate family and close friends that you're pregnant, but what about your extended family? Extended family can be anyone outside your immediate family, such as cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Telling the extended family you are expecting can look different from one person to the next, depending on your family situation and how close you are.
Host a Family Dinner
Does it happen to be near a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas? Use the opportunity to offer to host the family dinner, inviting all of your extended family. You can use any of the above ideas for sharing the news, and your family will appreciate all being together to celebrate you.
Send an Announcement Card
Announcement cards are an effective way for how to tell friends and family you're pregnant without missing anyone. Your card can be text only or you can add a photo.
Use a letterboard to share details and maybe include a baby onesie or baby booties.
Family FaceTime
A group phone call or FaceTime is an easy way to tell multiple people at once. This option is great if you have a large extended family and want to deliver the news that you're pregnant all at once.
This is also helpful if you have family members who live far apart.
Let Your Immediate Family Spread the News
Pregnancy can be exhausting in many ways, so if the thought of having to tell extended family is stress-inducing for you, let your immediate family help!
They will surely be glad to help spread the exciting news and take one thing off your plate.
Post on Social Media
If you aren't close with your extended family members, there is nothing wrong with letting them find out via social media.
You're probably already planning to do a cute post to let all of your friends know, so this makes for an easy option to get the news out to extended family as well.
When to Tell Family You're Pregnant
So, when is it ok to tell your family you're pregnant? This is a very personal decision and there is no right answer. Traditionally, women would wait to announce their pregnancy until they were through the first trimester (12 weeks) due to the drop in the risk of miscarriage.
However, many women today are challenging that norm and speaking out about their experiences with miscarriages. It is an exhausting experience, both physically and emotionally, so it's normal that you might want to have the support of your family and not go through it alone.
No matter what you decide, make sure you follow your gut and what's right for you.
- Will you want the support of your family if your pregnancy ends in a miscarriage?
- Do you want to tell everyone at once, or just your immediate family?
- Is knowing the gender first important to you?
- Is there any extra planning required for your situation that would make it beneficial to announce early?
Discover Boppy's Pregnancy Must Haves
Pregnancy can be overwhelming, especially if it's your first one. When it comes to announcing your pregnancy, remember that there is no right way or right time. Listen to your body and do what feels right for you.
From the most extravagant announcement on this list to the simplest text message, in the end your friends and family just want to be there for you and share in your joy. Make sure you are prepared with our list of top must-haves for each month of pregnancy, and even more pregnancy resources on our blog!
Boppy is your trustworthy source for all things pregnancy-related. It's no wonder we've been named as a Top 10 Pediatrics Solution Company. From our award-winning products for all nurseries to our resources on safe product usage and our commitment to all mothers and mental health, we are here for you at every step of the way.
