When to Tell People You Are Pregnant and What to Consider
Learning you’re pregnant is an exciting moment in your pregnancy journey. After savoring the news yourself, you might wonder when to tell people you are pregnant and how to share this moment with your community, including your partner, parents, family, friends, and coworkers. Though when to announce your pregnancy is ultimately a personal choice, some factors might influence the timing, and we’ve gathered all the helpful details.
When “Should” You Tell People You Are Pregnant?
This is a very common question with a not-so-clear-cut answer. There really is no “best” time to announce your pregnancy or a rule for when you should tell people you’re pregnant. When you share the news is totally up to you! It’s your choice. There’s no perfect time to share your pregnancy—do what feels right for you. It might help to consider the following when deciding when to announce your pregnancy:
- First trimester. When is it safe to announce a pregnancy? This is a concern for many parents, as early pregnancy loss (a miscarriage earlier than 13 weeks) occurs in about 10 percent of known pregnancies. But the risk of miscarriage is much lower after the first trimester, which is why many feel it’s safer to wait until the following trimester to share the news.
- First prenatal appointment. If you think you might be pregnant and take an at-home pregnancy test, you might want to confirm the pregnancy with your healthcare provider before sharing the news. At this appointment, which often takes place at around 8 to 10 weeks, your provider might do a health screening and determine any risk factors.
- Sonogram. If you wait until after an ultrasound exam to share your big news, you'll likely have a sonogram (an ultrasound image) that you could include in your pregnancy announcement, which could be a fun idea! You’ll likely have at least one ultrasound during your pregnancy, typically a standard ultrasound at around 18 to 22 weeks of pregnancy.
Key Pregnancy Milestones
To help you decide on your timeline, here is a summary of the milestones mentioned in the guides:
| Timeline | Key Milestone | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8–10 weeks | First prenatal visit | Health screening and risk factor determination. |
| 13 weeks | End of first trimester | Miscarriage risk drops significantly. |
| 18–22 weeks | Standard ultrasound | Typically when you receive a sonogram image. |
Pros and Cons of Waiting to Announce Your Pregnancy
If you’re on the fence about when to tell people you are pregnant, it might help to consider the pros and cons of waiting a little longer to reveal the news. Early sharing brings support but may require updates if complications arise; later announcements allow more privacy.
Pros: When you share the news, you have people there to support you. Those early signs of pregnancy aren’t always the most fun (morning sickness and fatigue, for example), and you may want someone in the know to help you along the way. Plus, it’s fun to have your partner, friend, or family member there to discuss exciting things, like choosing a unique baby name or decorating the nursery.
Cons: Once you share the news, get ready for all the questions! Everyone will want to know how you’re feeling and might even want to touch your belly. One con to really think about is what happens if you do have a miscarriage after announcing your pregnancy. It’s a personal choice, so ask yourself if it’s better for just one or two people in your inner support circle to know or if you’re OK with others knowing.
Sharing the News with Your Community
Tell different people on your own timeline. Partners are usually told first, followed by family, friends, and others when you feel ready. Choose your style. Announce in person, online, through cards, calls, or creative reveals—whatever fits your comfort and relationships. It’s OK to set boundaries after you announce your pregnancy! Simply state your boundaries if you don’t want people asking personal questions or touching your belly.
Everyone is different, of course, with various factors at play that could influence when to tell people you are pregnant. You can share the news right away or wait until that baby bump of yours is starting to show. It’s really up to you!