Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy. You may be feeling excited, terrified or in shock – or perhaps even a mixture of all three. As you try to process this life-changing news, you may feel desperate to share it with friends and family, but should you hold off until after week 12? There are mixed opinions on this, and while many choose to wait, some couples tell friends and family straight away.
Why wait?
Some women choose to keep their pregnancies quiet until after the first twelve weeks. The risk of miscarriage is highest during the first trimester, and some people choose to hold off on sharing the news until this risk has passed. Some couples choose to wait until they have had the ultrasound scan. This gives them peace of mind that the baby is developing ok, and also allows them to give friends and family a more accurate estimated due date.
There’s a lot to think about when you discover you’re pregnant, and even if the baby was long-awaited, it can take a few weeks to get your head around the news. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you may find it easier to keep the news to yourself until you have processed all of your emotions.
Why spill the beans
Some women find it virtually impossible to keep quiet about the pregnancy. Whether you’re over the moon and want to shout it from the rooftops, or feeling confused and need to talk it through with a close friend, you may prefer to share your news early.
Just because you’ve told a couple of close friends and family, it doesn’t mean everyone needs to know. You can ask your trusted few to keep your secret until you make it public. Not everybody needs to know at once, so you could always tell just a few specially selected people.
A personal decision
Pregnancy and parenthood are filled with personal decisions, and this is one of the first ones you need to make. Talk to your partner about the pros and cons of announcing early, and discuss what feels right to you. Together you can reach a decision that works for you as a couple. You don’t need to keep it a secret simply because other people do, but you also shouldn’t feel pressured to announce before you’re ready.
When did you share the good news, and who did you tell first?
Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.
