{"id":30941,"date":"2024-01-31T18:00:50","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T18:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/?p=30941"},"modified":"2026-04-07T14:11:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T14:11:23","slug":"when-to-announce-your-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/blog\/pregnancy\/when-to-announce-your-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"When to announce your pregnancy? The timing dilemma"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019re pregnant\u2014congratulations! All that\u2019s left is to share the big news\u2026 Revealing this pregnancy will surely bring joy to your loved ones. It\u2019s the perfect opportunity to think about the right moment to share this new chapter of your life. But when exactly is the right time?<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n<h2>When is it recommended to announce your pregnancy to your loved ones?<\/h2>\n<p>The right timing to announce your pregnancy to your loved ones is when<strong> you feel ready<\/strong> to reveal the surprise! There\u2019s no right or wrong time to make this wonderful announcement\u2014this choice is entirely yours.<\/p>\n<h3>The co-parent<\/h3>\n<p>Unless you took the pregnancy test together\u2014in which case there\u2019s no need to announce it\u2014there\u2019s no ideal moment to tell your partner, even though they\u2019re usually the first person to know! After all, you\u2019re embarking on an incredible journey together\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Want to get creative and make<strong> an original announcement<\/strong>? Keep reading if you\u2019re 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, \u201cWe agree there are two lines, right??\u201d\u2014which is also a perfectly great way to announce it.<\/p>\n<h3>Loved ones (family and friends)<\/h3>\n<p>You often hear that it\u2019s best to announce your pregnancy <strong>at the end of the third month<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n<p>However, this timing also has some downsides: it means you may <strong>hide your early pregnancy symptoms<\/strong> if you\u2019re experiencing them (such as nausea, fatigue, back pain\u2026), or that in the event of a miscarriage, you might not receive support from your friends or family.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Les nause\u0301es pendant la grossesse\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tPTwQ5MaB8Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>In short, as you\u2019ve probably gathered, our position is that there should be no pressure regarding when to make the announcement. This choice <strong>should be personal<\/strong> and respected, whatever it may be.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to learn more? Feel free to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.adjust.com\/1pblulz8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">download the May app<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you&#8217;ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Whether you\u2019ve announced it or not, it\u2019s essential<strong> to be supported<\/strong> in the event of pregnancy loss.<\/p>\n<p>Reading recommendation: <em>Three Months in Silence<\/em>, the title of Judith Aquien\u2019s book (Payot), is very telling. Women keep their pregnancy quiet at a time when it can be<strong> the most difficult<\/strong> 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\u2014consider whether it\u2019s the right time for you to read it.<\/p>\n<h3>Your first child(ren)<\/h3>\n<p>When it comes to your older child(ren), you\u2019ll likely hear many conflicting opinions: \u201cYou can\u2019t announce it before your belly is clearly showing, around the 5th month\u2014otherwise it will feel too long for them!\u201d, \u201cTell them right away, children sense everything and it\u2019s better not to leave them confused,\u201d or \u201cWait until your first ultrasound because of miscarriage risk.\u201d The truth is, you know your child(ren) <strong>better than anyone<\/strong> (and the context too). You\u2019ll know when the time is right.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t 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\u2026 It\u2019s also quite common for this to cause some restlessness\u2014either immediately or later in the pregnancy\u2014which may not be expressed in words but rather through changes in behavior.<\/p>\n<h3>To grieving parents or those trying to conceive<\/h3>\n<p>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<strong> they\u2019re unable to feel happy for you<\/strong>. You don\u2019t always know what they\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, if you are aware of their situation, we don\u2019t recommend hiding your pregnancy out of fear of hurting them. It\u2019s better to share the news\u2014with tact\u2014perhaps by choosing a one-on-one moment. Being treated \u201cdifferently\u201d from other friends or family can increase their sense of isolation and sadness. And everyone\u2019s story is different\u2014you shouldn\u2019t feel guilty for being pregnant.<\/p>\n<h2>When should you announce your pregnancy at work?<\/h2>\n<p>Contrary to what you might think, <strong>there is no legal deadline<\/strong> to inform your employer about your pregnancy.<\/p>\n<p>You can announce your pregnancy when your belly is already very visible or right after you find out you\u2019re expecting. The law simply requires that you inform your employer <strong>verbally or in writing<\/strong> about your upcoming maternity leave, along with a medical certificate confirming your pregnancy.<\/p>\n<p>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:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Being able to <strong>take time off for medical appointments<\/strong> without loss of pay or vacation days.<\/li>\n<li>Protection against dismissal.<\/li>\n<li>Reduced working hours: not legally required, but often applied through company practice or collective agreements.<\/li>\n<li>Protection from certain risks (chemicals, viruses, ionizing radiation, pressure\u2026) and certain tasks (such as using a hand truck to carry loads\u2026).<\/li>\n<li>Protection from night work: your employer must offer a daytime position or suspend your contract with continued pay if no alternative is possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And beyond all these benefits, it\u2019s also nice to share the good news with your colleagues\u2026 provided, of course, that relationships are positive!<\/p>\n<p>Good to know: the first months of pregnancy are often <strong>the most difficult<\/strong> due to pregnancy symptoms (yes, them again). Especially at work. So if you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n<h2>When should you announce your pregnancy after a miscarriage or a difficult pregnancy?<\/h2>\n<p>When you become pregnant after a miscarriage or another difficult experience related to parenthood, it can sometimes be <strong>difficult to find the words<\/strong> to tell your loved ones\u2014and especially to find the right moment to talk about it.<\/p>\n<p>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<strong> if you have concerns<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The choice is yours: it can be right after finding out you\u2019re pregnant or after giving yourself some time to process. The best moment is when you feel ready.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the May app<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can track each stage of your pregnancy and all your medical appointments thanks to a personalized calendar. You\u2019ll also find plenty of resources (articles, practical guides, masterclasses) to support you throughout each trimester.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>How to announce your pregnancy: a few original ideas<\/h3>\n<h3>To your partner<\/h3>\n<p>They are usually the first person you tell. There are many ways to make your announcement and <strong>spark emotion<\/strong> in your partner:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The gift: some pregnant women hide the pregnancy test in a gift box. This also works with baby clothes or accessories (pacifiers, bottles, diapers\u2026).<\/li>\n<li>A treasure hunt: a great way to <strong style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">build suspense<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">\u2014though it requires a bit of planning!<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Tasting baby food jars: after the meal, serve a baby food jar for dessert. It shouldn\u2019t take long for the message to sink in!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>To loved ones<\/h3>\n<p>For friends and family, you can:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Buy a t-shirt with a message like \u201cI\u2019m going to be an aunt,\u201d \u201cI\u2019m going to be a grandfather,\u201d etc.<\/li>\n<li>Organize a tea time (or another drink); once the cup is finished, a message appears at the bottom such as \u201cI\u2019m pregnant\u201d or \u201cA baby is on the way\u201d\u2026 Some websites allow you to customize the message inside the cup!<\/li>\n<li>Once you have your first ultrasound photos, you can place them <strong style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">in an envelope<\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"> and ask your loved ones to open it.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>To your child(ren)<\/h3>\n<p>Each family has its own way of sharing the news with older children: you can tell them that<strong> a little seed is growing in your belly<\/strong> 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\u2014whatever feels appropriate.<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that your \u201cbig kid\u201d doesn\u2019t 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 <strong>a timeline<\/strong> 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\u2026).<\/p>\n<h2>When and how to announce your pregnancy: moms\u2019 stories<\/h2>\n<p>Need inspiration? Several moms have shared how they announced their pregnancy. One thing is certain: <strong>they\u2019re not short on ideas<\/strong>!<\/p>\n<p>M\u00e9lanie: \u201cTo 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!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stella: \u201cI gave my husband a baby onesie and told him the rest of the gift would arrive in 9 months.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jeanne: \u201cI 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, \u2018Sorry, I wanted to surprise you, but the delivery person is downstairs with a package\u2014can you come down?\u2019 Except instead of a delivery person, it was me jumping into his arms to tell him we were having a baby!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In short, there is no perfect timing to announce your pregnancy. It\u2019s up to you to choose <strong>the option that suits you best<\/strong>: keeping it private for a while or sharing the news right away\u2014it\u2019s entirely your decision!<\/p>\n<p>Photo: Envato<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019re pregnant\u2014congratulations! All that\u2019s left is to share the big news\u2026 Revealing this pregnancy will surely bring joy to your loved ones. It\u2019s 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\u2019s find out. When is it recommended to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":11799,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[186],"tags":[142,148],"class_list":["post-30941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pregnancy","tag-pregnancy-timeline","tag-early-pregnancy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30941"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30947,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30941\/revisions\/30947"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}