Unique Pregnancy Announcement Ideas for Everyone in Your Life

Most people wait until the end of the first trimester. But for every "rule", there are a million reasons to break them. The only unbreakable rule here is that you should do what feels comfortable for you. You may have close friends or family that you want to tell earlier. Or you may not want to tell people until very late in your pregnancy. This is entirely your choice.

You’ll want to tell your innermost circle first and then work your way out. First, you’ll want to tell close family and friends. Your next step, should you choose to take it, would be a social media post to your wider set of loved ones. Before you make that post though, do a quick mental check to make sure that there is no one who you’d like to make the announcement to yourself before posting on social media. Sometimes it helps to write down the list of people you’d like to tell personally and double check it with a partner or a friend. Remember, once you share your news on social media, you should imagine that the whole world knows!

This is probably the most special announcement you’ll make. You get to shape the moment when this person’s life is changed forever. Here are a few ideas for things you can say and do. Some are casual while others are more elaborate.

• If you took an at-home pregnancy test, wrap it in a box and give it to them. !
• Get a “mom-to-be” t-shirt and walk into the room wearing it. See how long it takes them to notice. Or give them a “Dad” shirt. !
• Buy your favorite children’s book, wrap it, and give it to them. They’ll be confused at first, but the big smile on your face will help them understand!!
• Bake their favorite dessert and put an “oh baby” cake topper (see above) on it. Don’t have the patience to go out and get one? You can also make your own with a toothpick and some paper. !
• When they walk in the door, casually say, “Hey Dad!” !
• Create a “treasure hunt” for them around the house. The last clue can lead them to a pregnancy test or pacifier. !
• Leave the pregnancy test somewhere where they’re sure to see it. Right in front of the coffee maker or on the kitchen counter is a place they are likely to notice. Have a particularly clueless person on your hands? Put it on their pillow. It’s impossible to miss. !
• Ask for help folding laundry. Put a baby outfit in the laundry pile and see if they notice. Watch their puzzled expression followed by joy when they pick it up! !
• Write them a letter. This is perfect for your sentimental partner who might want to have the letter as a keepsake. Maybe one day your child will look at the letter too!!
• You can also just say it. Words are meaningful too. Look them in the eyes and say something like “I have really big news for you.” What you say next is totally up to you!

The people who are likely to be the next most excited about the new baby are the soon-to-be-grandparents. Here are some things you could say to them.

• If this is their first grandchild, you could say, “We’ve been thinking you deserve a promotion. How does grandparent sound?”
• Say “Do you all have plans on [fill in your due date]?” They’ll likely say no because who has plans that many months out? Then say, “Well now you do!”
• Give them some grandparent swag. Make t-shirts with their grandparent names on them, or give them a onesie that references grandparents. “My grandma loves me,” is a classic choice. Grandparent mugs are also a grandparent favorite.
• Write them a sentimental letter. You can thank them for being such great parents and tell them that it inspired you to want to be one yourself.
• Tell them you have a picture you want them to look at because you’re having trouble making sense of what it is. Then hand them your sonogram!
• If straightforward is more your style, you can just go with “I have exciting news for you!”

This is a really important person to tell! Making them feel included in your pregnancy will ease the transition to big sibling life. Many kids experience a mix of emotions at this news so setting the tone and sharing the news thoughtfully is a smart move. Ultimately, your child’s age and personality will be the biggest consideration. Get them big sis or big brother swag to get them excited about their new role. This could be a hat or a t-shirt. You could also give them a book about being a big sister or brother. Whatever you do, you’ll also want to accompany the baby announcement with some words that communicate your excitement and reassures them that this is a good change. Experts suggest being honest and age appropriate. You don’t need to wade into details that are beyond their comprehension. A variation on “We have really exciting news for you. You’re going to be a big [brother/sister]. Mom and Dad are having a baby!” should do the trick. Kids are so perceptive and they look to us for cues for how to feel about something, so you have a lot of power here to make them feel both safe and thrilled.

Later, when you’re telling a wider circle of friends and family you can enlist their help in sharing the big news by including them in your pregnancy and birth announcements. They’ll enjoy feeling included!

Once you’ve told those in your inner circle, it’s time to share your news more widely. Many people choose to send announcements in the mail in addition to a social media blast. This makes the news feel more personal. Plus, the announcement can double as a keepsake, so you’ll still want to send one to the loved ones you told individually (like grandparents). The card you choose will depend on your personal style. Some pregnancy announcement cards are informal or even funny, while others are more traditional. Choose the one that feels right to you! If you’re sending a note to a close friend, you can also handwrite a note on the back, to make it feel even more personal.

If you’re struggling to find the right words for your pregnancy announcement, you can use someone else’s. There are lots of quotes about children and pregnancy ranging from funny ones to heartfelt ones. Here are a few of our favorites:

• “Sometimes the littlest things take up the most room in your heart.” —Winnie the Pooh
• “Life will always find a way –-Jurassic Park
• “Oops, I did it again.” –Brittany Spears
• “Every child begins the world again.” —Henry David Thoreau
• “Having one child makes you a parent; having two, you are a referee.” – David Frost
• “There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other wings.” – Goeth

• We are thrilled to announce that we’re expecting a baby boy/girl!
• Our wildest dreams have come true! Here comes baby number 2!
• And just like that we were 3 (or however many you will be).
• Coming soon to a playground near you!
• We are overjoyed to announce that Baby [Last name] is due on [fill in due date month and year]
• If you struggled to conceive, experienced loss or other difficulties, you can include a subtle message that honors your journey like “Worth the wait!”, “Welcome rainbow baby,” or “We’ve waited a long time for this miracle baby!”

• If you’re posting a picture of a positive pregnancy test, you could write, “We don’t have COVID, we have a baby!”
• [Insert pet’s name] is expecting a brother/sister on [fill in due date]
• If you thought we were loud, wait until we have baby # 3 (or whatever baby number this is).
• Social distancing failed. Baby Boy/Girl [Last name] is coming!
• We did a thing.
• S*%t just got real.
• Best oops ever.
• Bye sleep! We’ll miss you!
• They’re getting me a human! (for a pet-centered announcement)

Many people like to share more information about their pregnancy journey in their social media pregnancy announcement. You should share as much or as little as you want. It’s all a question of comfort. Some things you can share, if you choose: how you’re feeling, any challenges you’ve experienced, how you found out you are expecting, how you told your partner, foods you’ve been craving, places you’ve traveled while pregnant, hopes for your child, how any siblings or pets received the news, birth plans, etc. Your message can be short and sweet or you can really get into the details. In the age of social media, anything is on the table.

If you already have a child (or a fur baby!), it’s a great idea to include them in the announcement. Your friends and family will love it, but also it’s meaningful for the sibling to feel like they’re a part of the big news. One way to do this is to tell it entirely from their perspective. For example, “James (3) is thrilled to announce that he’s going to be a big brother! He can wait to show them the ropes at the playground!” This works especially well if you pair a caption from their perspective with a sibling-centered photograph.

Yes! Many people like to send a paper announcement in addition to a social media blast. While the social media blast is great for spreading the word about your pregnancy far and wide, a paper announcement is more personal. Plus it doubles as a keepsake!

You should share this information with anyone you feel comfortable sharing with. With colleagues, you’ll want to think about the time that is most convenient for you. Some people wait until the first trimester is over, others tell their colleagues right away. With friends who are having trouble conceiving, you’ll want to base this off of your relationship with them. If you’re close with them, they will likely want to know your news and share in your joy, even if it reminds them that they’re still waiting for good news.

Yes! Both events are a big deal. People will be happy to hear from you both before and after the baby is born. Some people choose to send pregnancy announcements with a smaller group (for obvious reasons) and then share with a wider group once the baby is born.

The short answer is anyone you want to! Family, friends (think of all stages of life), neighbors, friends of your family, and work friends (Though it’s worth noting that it’s less common to send announcements to colleagues, unless you’re close work friends).