Baby Sleep
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You’re pregnant—congratulations! All that’s left is to share the big news… Revealing this pregnancy will surely bring joy to your loved ones. It’s the perfect opportunity to think about the right moment to share this new chapter of your life. But when exactly is the right time?
Let’s find out.
When is it recommended to announce your pregnancy to your loved ones?
The right timing to announce your pregnancy to your loved ones is when you feel ready to reveal the surprise! There’s no right or wrong time to make this wonderful announcement—this choice is entirely yours.
The co-parent
Unless you took the pregnancy test together—in which case there’s no need to announce it—there’s no ideal moment to tell your partner, even though they’re usually the first person to know! After all, you’re embarking on an incredible journey together…
Want to get creative and make an original announcement? Keep reading if you’re looking for fun and surprising ideas to share the secret. That said, the urge to share the news is often so strong that many people simply hand over the test and say, “We agree there are two lines, right??”—which is also a perfectly great way to announce it.
Loved ones (family and friends)
You often hear that it’s best to announce your pregnancy at the end of the third month, after the first-trimester ultrasound. Why? Because the risk of natural pregnancy loss decreases significantly after this point. The idea is that expectant parents avoid having to share bad news if a miscarriage unfortunately occurs.
However, this timing also has some downsides: it means you may hide your early pregnancy symptoms if you’re experiencing them (such as nausea, fatigue, back pain…), or that in the event of a miscarriage, you might not receive support from your friends or family.
In short, as you’ve probably gathered, our position is that there should be no pressure regarding when to make the announcement. This choice should be personal and respected, whatever it may be.
Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.
Whether you’ve announced it or not, it’s essential to be supported in the event of pregnancy loss.
Reading recommendation: Three Months in Silence, the title of Judith Aquien’s book (Payot), is very telling. Women keep their pregnancy quiet at a time when it can be the most difficult and when the risk of loss is highest. Yet these early months are rarely talked about, which can lead to deep isolation and inner suffering for some women. What if we changed the narrative? However, be aware that part of this book addresses pregnancy loss—consider whether it’s the right time for you to read it.
Your first child(ren)
When it comes to your older child(ren), you’ll likely hear many conflicting opinions: “You can’t announce it before your belly is clearly showing, around the 5th month—otherwise it will feel too long for them!”, “Tell them right away, children sense everything and it’s better not to leave them confused,” or “Wait until your first ultrasound because of miscarriage risk.” The truth is, you know your child(ren) better than anyone (and the context too). You’ll know when the time is right.
Don’t necessarily expect jumping for joy or a big reaction, especially from younger children! Some may quickly move on without much interest, others will be curious… It’s also quite common for this to cause some restlessness—either immediately or later in the pregnancy—which may not be expressed in words but rather through changes in behavior.
To grieving parents or those trying to conceive
When announcing your pregnancy, you may feel disappointed (or even hurt) by the reaction of some family members, friends, or colleagues. Some people are going through such deep pain that they’re unable to feel happy for you. You don’t always know what they’re experiencing privately: fertility treatments? Recurrent miscarriages? Perinatal loss? So rather than taking it personally, consider that they may have valid reasons for reacting this way.
On the other hand, if you are aware of their situation, we don’t recommend hiding your pregnancy out of fear of hurting them. It’s better to share the news—with tact—perhaps by choosing a one-on-one moment. Being treated “differently” from other friends or family can increase their sense of isolation and sadness. And everyone’s story is different—you shouldn’t feel guilty for being pregnant.
When should you announce your pregnancy at work?
Contrary to what you might think, there is no legal deadline to inform your employer about your pregnancy.
You can announce your pregnancy when your belly is already very visible or right after you find out you’re expecting. The law simply requires that you inform your employer verbally or in writing about your upcoming maternity leave, along with a medical certificate confirming your pregnancy.
That said, beyond maintaining a good relationship, it can be beneficial to inform your employer so you can take advantage of legal rights and any collective agreements, such as:
- Being able to take time off for medical appointments without loss of pay or vacation days.
- Protection against dismissal.
- Reduced working hours: not legally required, but often applied through company practice or collective agreements.
- Protection from certain risks (chemicals, viruses, ionizing radiation, pressure…) and certain tasks (such as using a hand truck to carry loads…).
- Protection from night work: your employer must offer a daytime position or suspend your contract with continued pay if no alternative is possible.
And beyond all these benefits, it’s also nice to share the good news with your colleagues… provided, of course, that relationships are positive!
Good to know: the first months of pregnancy are often the most difficult due to pregnancy symptoms (yes, them again). Especially at work. So if you’re fortunate to be in a supportive environment where your pregnancy will be welcomed, announcing it can allow you to move at your own pace and take care of yourself.
When should you announce your pregnancy after a miscarriage or a difficult pregnancy?
When you become pregnant after a miscarriage or another difficult experience related to parenthood, it can sometimes be difficult to find the words to tell your loved ones—and especially to find the right moment to talk about it.
You are the only one who can decide whether or not you want to share it. As mentioned earlier, your loved ones can help ease your worries through their words and support. They may also reassure you about this new pregnancy if you have concerns.
The choice is yours: it can be right after finding out you’re pregnant or after giving yourself some time to process. The best moment is when you feel ready.
On the May app, you can track each stage of your pregnancy and all your medical appointments thanks to a personalized calendar. You’ll also find plenty of resources (articles, practical guides, masterclasses) to support you throughout each trimester.
How to announce your pregnancy: a few original ideas
To your partner
They are usually the first person you tell. There are many ways to make your announcement and spark emotion in your partner:
- The gift: some pregnant women hide the pregnancy test in a gift box. This also works with baby clothes or accessories (pacifiers, bottles, diapers…).
- A treasure hunt: a great way to build suspense—though it requires a bit of planning!
- Tasting baby food jars: after the meal, serve a baby food jar for dessert. It shouldn’t take long for the message to sink in!
To loved ones
For friends and family, you can:
- Buy a t-shirt with a message like “I’m going to be an aunt,” “I’m going to be a grandfather,” etc.
- Organize a tea time (or another drink); once the cup is finished, a message appears at the bottom such as “I’m pregnant” or “A baby is on the way”… Some websites allow you to customize the message inside the cup!
- Once you have your first ultrasound photos, you can place them in an envelope and ask your loved ones to open it.
To your child(ren)
Each family has its own way of sharing the news with older children: you can tell them that a little seed is growing in your belly and will become a baby, or that you and their mom or dad have decided to grow the family and welcome a new baby who is still growing inside you. You can use a book, baby items—whatever feels appropriate.
Keep in mind that your “big kid” doesn’t have a clear sense of time, and the length of a pregnancy may feel endless to them (as it might to you!). To help them visualize it, you can create a timeline or a wall calendar showing key milestones leading up to the birth: birthdays, seasonal changes, special moments of the year (Epiphany cake, Christmas, falling leaves, beach vacations…).
When and how to announce your pregnancy: moms’ stories
Need inspiration? Several moms have shared how they announced their pregnancy. One thing is certain: they’re not short on ideas!
Mélanie: “To tell a friend, I told her 2-year-old daughter that I had a baby in my belly. Her child repeated it to her, and she found it adorable!”
Stella: “I gave my husband a baby onesie and told him the rest of the gift would arrive in 9 months.”
Jeanne: “I found out I was pregnant through a blood test without telling my boyfriend beforehand, and I received the lab results by email while we were both at work. Without hesitation, I left my desk, took the subway, and rushed to the bottom of his office building. I called him and said, ‘Sorry, I wanted to surprise you, but the delivery person is downstairs with a package—can you come down?’ Except instead of a delivery person, it was me jumping into his arms to tell him we were having a baby!”
In short, there is no perfect timing to announce your pregnancy. It’s up to you to choose the option that suits you best: keeping it private for a while or sharing the news right away—it’s entirely your decision!
Photo: Envato
This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.
