30 Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy

by Pregnancy.org Staff

Shhh...you have a secret to tell (or not). You might choose to tell only a small group of people in your first trimester or maybe you're wanting to shout it out to the whole world! Take your pick from these innovative ideas or create your own unique plan to share the news you're having a baby. Get ready for the smiles, hugs and happy tears. We're positive you'll find at least one way to do it!

Take advantage of a holiday: If you happen to be in your first trimester near a holiday, you've got it made!

IDEAS:
• Create a special Valentine: Have the loving message be from your baby.
• Creative picture frames: Wrap up a "Grandparents are a Blessing" frame with the note, "picture arriving soon".
• Easy holiday tie-ins: Take advantage of holidays like Grandparents Day in September.
• Holiday ornaments: Send a special ornament to the grandparents for the tree (make sure you have for both sides of the family!).
• Baby's signature: Add your baby's signature to cards and gifts for an added surprise.
• Gift certificates: Create your own or buy from your favorite store. You can have the certificates be good for "one grandchild" (or two if twins are on the way).
• For older siblings: Hang an envelop on the tree from "baby" with the note, "Sorry I can't be there with you right now, but I'll see you all in ___!".

My husband wrote a poem of our lives and then added about our new addition at the end. We had each of our mother's read the poems at our family gatherings for Christmas. ~Deidre, FaceBook fan

Share the news with help: Enlist a child, pet or even a website to help spread the word!

IDEAS:
• Put your message on a t-shirt: Dress your child in a big brother/sister t-shirt. Have the camera ready to catch surprised expressions.
• Share your message on a pet sweater: Try, "New playmate arriving soon!"
• Make a picture album: Create an online album (or one the old-fashioned way). The last picture can feature a picture of the nursery, you in an under construction t-shirt or other hint that a baby's on the way.
• Post a video: Put together a video of ultrasounds, baby shopping, create one online...it's up to you!

My mom saw our son's "big brother" shirt and started laughing and then gave him a big hug and then she started crying. Then I started crying! ~Jennifer, Pregnancy.org member

Announce your news at a gathering: You've got everyone together, now is your chance! Tip: Have a trusted friend who is "in the know" catch the announcement and reactions on video.

IDEAS:
• Desserts: Decorate dessert or cup cakes with mini rattles or bottles and arriving soon or due date. It's your day, keep it fun!
• "Could you hold the baby?": Ask the family to gather for picture. Hand Grandma or Grandpa your ultrasound picture and ask if they would hold their grandchild for a moment.
• Movie night: Invite friends over and have a bunch of pregnancy-related movies to watch together: "She's Having a Baby," "Nine Months," "Junior," "Knocked Up." See how long before someone catches on to the theme.

We'd moved and planned a housewarming to show all the family around our new house, saving the nursery for the very last. In there I had a big poster board saying, "Welcome Baby, coming in June." Everyone was screaming and hugging. It was so fun. ~Annie

Customized products: From announcement cards to sports event tickets that look and feel like the real thing to themed fortune cookies, your imagination's the only limit.