When and How to Announce Pregnancy
Pregnant but unsure whether or how to tell the important people in your life—your partner or your parents? Or wondering when to tell your boss?
- There are various reasons why women choose to keep their pregnancy a secret for a while or confide in only a few people, such as anticipating a negative reaction.
- Ultimately, you decide whether and when to discuss your pregnancy. Our article offers practical insights, encouragement, and additional information tailored to your situation.
Our picks for you:
🤰 Could I be pregnant? — Online Pregnancy Quiz
💪 What are my hidden strengths? — Strengths Finder Test
Announcement Anxiety
"I’m Pregnant." Sharing this big news isn’t always easy. Some women feel nervous about disclosing their pregnancy to those around them. How will others react? Will they be happy for me? Will they be overly surprised? Perhaps even disappointed or upset?
Especially if the pregnancy is unplanned or comes at an inopportune time, anxiety about announcing your pregnancy can feel immense.
If you are feeling scared to tell your partner or others about your pregnancy, know that you are not alone!
Our counselling experience shows that many women worry about how others will respond.
We want to empower you to confidently embrace the future by providing insights, practical tips, and encouragement.
- Afraid to Tell My Partner I Am Pregnant
- Scared to Announce the Pregnancy to My Parents
- Anxious about Telling My Boss I Am Pregnant
Afraid to Tell My Partner I Am Pregnant
Maybe you are feeling anxious about telling your partner that you are pregnant. Perhaps having a baby wasn’t something you had discussed yet, or it was planned for later. Or maybe you thought you were done having kids. You might be concerned that your partner will blame you for a possible contraception failure. Or perhaps you recently broke up and are unsure how he will react to the pregnancy.
In this situation, it is essential to pay attention to what you are feeling deep inside and what your heart is telling you. Take all the time you need to figure out what you truly want. If you are worried that your partner might react with irritation, anger, or even hostility, it may be wise to wait until you have regained your bearings before sharing the news.
It is up to you not only when but also how you want to tell the baby’s father, whether face-to-face, over the phone, by text, or even in a letter. Your well-being and that of your baby should always come first.
For more information, go to:
- Relationship Status: It's Complicated
- Pregnant — Bad Timing
Or take one of the following quizzes:
- 🧔🏻♂️ What if he doesn't want the baby?
- 🙎🏻♂️Acknowlediging Paternity—How do I navigate issues with the dad?
- 👩❤️👨 Pregnant by another man—now what?
Scared to Announce the Pregnancy to My Parents
Maybe you are feeling afraid to tell your parents about your pregnancy. Perhaps they have previously reacted poorly to someone's pregnancy announcement? Or maybe you’re still relatively young and worry that your parents might respond with concern or disappointment?
Given your fears, it’s important to remember that because your life matters, you can stand up for yourself and embrace your pregnancy.
No matter how others might react initially, you can take pride in becoming a mom (again) and celebrate it. You might also find it encouraging to know that many soon-to-be grandparents who initially react with scepticism often warm up to the idea over time and later become very excited about their grandkids.
It is up to you when and how to tell your parents about the pregnancy. Sometimes, delivering the news from a distance can be helpful—by leaving a note, sending a letter, or writing an email. Others prefer to create a comfortable setting for a personal conversation, like during a walk or by asking for some one-on-one time in advance. There might be someone you would like to invite into the conversation for support. Maybe you would enjoy being creative about your pregnancy announcement?
Tip: When taken aback by the news, people may say things they don’t really mean. Try not to overinterpret a possible negative reaction from your parents. We can attest that many women receive much love and support from their parents, even from those who were initially very sceptical.
- How Do I Talk to My Parents? 6 Tips
Worried that your parents might not support you and looking for support to manage the pregnancy and raise a child on your own?
Here are some additional tips and resources:
- Support Near Me
- Pregnant and Need Help with Money
- Financial Support for Teen Mums
- Practical Support for Teen Mums
Anxious about Telling My Boss I Am Pregnant
Afraid to tell your employer or boss about your pregnancy? Maybe you recently started a new job or are about to have a job interview. Or perhaps your boss recently assigned you a long-term project and is counting on you. Or maybe you feel uneasy about being absent from work for a while and are unsure what your colleagues might think.
Depending on personalities and company culture, reactions may not always be as positive as hoped. However, pregnancy is a protected status, and there are anti-discrimination laws in place for your benefit. You may not encounter any disadvantages at work because of your pregnancy and are protected against dismissal.
While it’s advisable to inform your employer about your pregnancy early on—so your boss can fully implement the maternity protection laws for your benefit—you have some leeway in when to tell your boss, depending on the country you live in.
Many women choose to keep their pregnancy private during the early weeks due to the risk of miscarriage. There are good reasons to wait for the right moment to share the news.
For more information, go to:
If you are feeling nervous that your news might not be well-received, strengthen your resolve by taking our Pregnancy Personality Test.
