That's definitely something that quickly crosses your mind after taking a positive pregnancy test.
So we’re often asked: “When is it normal to share the news of a pregnancy?” or “Do we still have to wait two more weeks before we can tell people?” We totally get these questions! Our Instagram feed is also full of videos about announcing a pregnancy. Emotional videos about telling family about the pregnancy. Or hilarious videos about sharing the news with friends. Of course, this gets you really excited when you’re pregnant!
When is it actually “normal” to share the news of a pregnancy?
This isn't something we can answer. It's a very personal matter. Some people tell everyone when they test positive. Others only tell those closest to them. And still others don't tell anyone. Above all, you should do what feels right for you or your group.
The 12-week limit
There’s a lot of talk about the 12-week mark. In the past, people almost never shared the news before 12 weeks. This was due to the risk of miscarriage, which is highest during that period. These days, we’re moving away from this practice more and more. One reason for this is that there’s a pregnancy ultrasound Around 10–11 weeks, you'll have a bit more certainty. If a beating heart is detected and growth is normal, the risk of miscarriage is low.
Tell us earlier
More and more people want to share the happy news that they're pregnant sooner. People are more open about it.
Getting a miscarriage Fortunately, it’s becoming less of a taboo. As a result, people are increasingly open about it sooner on. We’re very happy about this. That way, you can use your experience to support others!
In addition to people wanting to share the news early, there’s often a practical reason as well. Of course, you might experience pregnancy symptoms. Fatigue and nausea are common in the first trimester. This makes it hard to keep it a secret. It may also be that you used to enjoy having a glass of wine and eating sushi—which now makes it difficult to hide your pregnancy.
Tell me later
There are also reasons why people might want to wait to share the news. This could be related to what they’ve been through—such as previous miscarriages. It can also be difficult at times, for example, if you know that friends have been undergoing fertility treatment for a long time. In that case, you need to find the right moment to share the news. People also sometimes want to keep it as a little secret between the two of them at first.
Announcing a Pregnancy at Work
Announcing a pregnancy at work is often seen as a nerve-wracking experience. Women are often afraid they’ll be treated differently. They also wonder what will happen while they’re on maternity leave. Legally, you’re not required to tell your employer until 3 weeks before you go on maternity leave. It might be a bit more practical to let them know a little sooner. Most people tell their employer after the 12th week of pregnancy. Know that as a pregnant woman, you have many rights. Rules that Apply to Employees Who Are Pregnant or Have Just Had a Baby (overheid.nl)
Creative Ways to Tell People You're Pregnant
How do you want to announce the pregnancy? This is, of course, very personal as well. I already mentioned all the Reels we’ve been seeing on Instagram about this.
Here are a few ideas:
- Give an ultrasound photo as a gift
- Tell them through your other child. For example, by putting on a T-shirt or having them tell them
- Give some baby items as a gift
- Give a fun photo as a gift. For example, include a picture of baby shoes alongside your own shoes.
- Give a personalized gift.
- Give the gift of a positive pregnancy test.
There are probably 100 more ideas like that! We'd love to hear from you at the clinic about which announcement you ended up choosing! Have fun!
