A lot of expectant mothers feel the need to shout their pregnancy news from the rooftops as soon as they get a positive pregnancy test. And while there’s definitely nothing wrong with that, there are also valid reasons why you might want to keep your pregnancy under wraps for a bit longer. We will look at most reasons why you should wait to announce your pregnancy and when the best time to tell might be.
The best time to announce your pregnancy is when you are ready to share the news with your family and friends. You may want to wait until you have your first ultrasound, so you can tell people how far along you are or wait until after the first trimester when the risk for miscarriage is lower. Some parents-to-be wait to share their news until they feel the baby move, usually around 18-20 weeks.
There is no right or wrong here; however, making a pregnancy announcement in each trimester has its own considerations.
For many women, the first trimester is often the hardest. You’re dealing with morning sickness, fatigue, and all other joys accompanying pregnancy. For this reason, some women choose to wait until they’re out of the first trimester to announce their pregnancy. This way, they can be sure that the pregnancy is progressing smoothly before sharing the news.
Additionally, announcing your pregnancy in the first trimester also comes with a higher risk of miscarrying. While this doesn’t happen to everyone, it’s something to consider if you’re not ready to deal with the emotional fallout of a miscarriage.
The second trimester is often considered the best time to announce your pregnancy. Many pregnancy symptoms have subsided by this point, and you’re beginning to feel more like yourself again. Plus, you’re far enough that the risk of miscarrying is lower, which can make for a less stressful pregnancy announcement.
While there’s no wrong time to announce your pregnancy, some women prefer to wait until the third trimester. You’re starting to show by this point, and people will start guessing anyway! If you want to wait until you’re closer to your due date, that’s perfectly fine. Just be prepared for people to start asking if you’re sure you’re not having twins!
Miscarriage rates are highest in the first trimester, with most miscarriages happening before 12 weeks. The rate of miscarriage drops significantly after this point, and by the second trimester, the risk is only about 1-5%.
Journal of Women’s Health Care published a commentary by Rakesh Agarwal of the Department of Maternal & Reproductive Health, who shares research that the rate of miscarriage is:
This research shows that the majority of miscarriages happen in the early stages of pregnancy, with the risks decreasing as the pregnancy progresses.
—The first trimester, which lasts between 0 to 13 weeks, accounts for about 80% of all pregnancy losses.
So while it’s impossible to eliminate the risk of miscarrying, the chances are much lower in the second and third trimesters.
Now that we’ve looked at the best time to announce your pregnancy let’s look at some reasons why you might want to wait.
The miscarriage rate is highest in the first trimester, which is why many women wait until after this point to announce their pregnancy. No one wants to go through the heartbreak of telling everyone they’re pregnant, only to then have to turn around and tell them that they’re not anymore.
If you’re not comfortable with the idea of people knowing about your pregnancy before you’re out of the woods, then it might be best to wait a little while longer.
Bed rest is often recommended for women who are considered high-risk pregnancies. And while it might sound like a cakewalk (no work, lots of TV!), trust us when we say it’s anything but fun.
If you’re on bed rest, you’ll be stuck in one spot for a long time, which can get incredibly boring, fast. And if you have other kids at home, it can be challenging to take care of them while also trying to take care of yourself.
So, unless you want everyone in your life to know about your pregnancy before you’re ready to tell them, it might be best to wait until after the first trimester to make an announcement.
Pregnancy complications are more common than you might think. Studies have shown that 1 in 8 pregnancies are affected by some sort of complication. So, suppose you’re worried about people finding out about your pregnancy before you’re ready to tell them. In that case, it might be best to wait until after the first trimester, when these complications are more likely to have resolved themselves.
Unfortunately, not all workplaces are as pregnancy-friendly as they should be. If you’re worried about your job security or how your pregnancy will be received at work, it might be best to wait until you’re further along to make an announcement. That way, you can be sure that everything will be okay before you put your job on the line.
If you’re not close with your family or if you know that they’re not going to be supportive of your pregnancy, it might be best to wait to tell them. The last thing you want is to deal with their negativity while you’re trying to enjoy this special time in your life.
If there’s been any recent conflict, it might be best to wait until that has been resolved before you make your pregnancy announcement. No one wants to deal with family drama while they’re pregnant!
If you’ve had any previous miscarriages or stillbirths, you might want to wait to announce your pregnancy until you’re sure everything is progressing smoothly. It can be difficult to deal with the questions and well-meaning but unwanted advice from others if things don’t go as planned.
Doctors recommend waiting until after 12 weeks to announce your pregnancy if you have a history of miscarrying or experiencing pregnancy loss.
If you’ve been trying to conceive for a long time or had fertility issues in the past, you might want to wait to announce your pregnancy until you’re sure everything is okay. Women who have experienced fertility issues are more likely to miscarry, so it’s understandable if you want to wait until you’re a little further along before making your announcement.
Of course, the final decision on when to announce your pregnancy is entirely up to you. If you’re not comfortable with the idea of people knowing about your pregnancy before you’re ready to tell them, then it might be best to wait a little while longer.
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to making a pregnancy announcement. It’s entirely up to you and what you’re comfortable with. So, if you’re not ready to share your news with the world just yet, that’s perfectly okay! Take your time and wait until you’re sure you’re ready to make your big announcement.
If you want to announce your pregnancy early, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you might get a lot of unsolicited advice from well-meaning friends and family members. Second, people might start asking personal questions about your pregnancy that you’re not yet ready to answer. Lastly, you might have to deal with more nosy questions and comments than if you wait to announce your pregnancy later on.
On the other hand, a few benefits to announcing your pregnancy early. For one thing, it can help reduce stress levels during what can be a challenging time. It can also help build a support system of close friends and family members who can offer emotional and practical support during your pregnancy.
If you do decide to announce your pregnancy early, be prepared for the questions and comments that you might receive. Some people might not be as supportive as you’d like, but try to focus on the positive reactions and ignore the negative ones. Ultimately, it’s your decision, and you should do what’s best for you and your baby.
Announcing your pregnancy can be a difficult decision. A lot needs to be taken into consideration, from your personal comfort level to your family’s reaction.
No matter when you choose to announce your pregnancy, remember that at the end of the day, it’s your decision, and you should do what feels right for you. There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to making a pregnancy announcement.
So, take your time, listen to your gut, and do what feels best for you and your baby. With a baby on board, you’re sure to have plenty of eager and excited people to hear your news!
