when are you announcing? « Back to Group Discussions

[JonesiesGirl]

I'm curious when other mamas are announcing to family. DH would have announced already if I had agreed (I'm not even 5 weeks yet!), but I've heard that many people like to wait until 12 weeks or so. I was hoping to wait until after the anomaly scan at 20 weeks (we live in a different country so could get away with this easily). Anyway it looks like I'm going to have to compromise with DH and tell them at 12 weeks or likely earlier. What's your rationale for announcing when you are? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

[Sienna-forever]

with our first baby we announced at 12 weeks, second at around 20 ish.

Next We announced at 9 weeks but then I miscarried at about 13 weeks. The next miscarriage I never announced, got to 9 weeks and most people don't know we miscarried. It makes planning when to announce this time a bit complicated, im thinking 12 weeks as I start to show so much earlier now, im happy to announce but just hope people are happy and positive when we do, rather than just anxious following all that's happened previously. 

[maggiemay81]

Our first babe we announced at 12 weeks. We would like to keep this under our hats because my SIL has been TTCing for about 3 years. I am a little apprehensive about it. It will be hard to keep a secret as I expect I will start showing sooner. We have talked about going to UC Baby and finding out gender, but still unsure. That would put us at 20 weeks for telling family and friends. We'll see how it goes.

[SparkleMaman]

I've already told family and a few close friends (I'm only a little over 4 weeks). I am bubbling over with excitement and know I'd share with them if something happened. I am doubtful DD will be able to keep it under wraps altogether for more than a few weeks more. Ideally I'd like to hold off until 12 weeks to share with students and colleagues but suspect it will be sooner. I am going on a class trip with my students in April (I'll be about 11-12 weeks and expect to have a little bump by then). It'll be hard to hide but we'll see!!

[Kamiro]

I've already casually mentioned. I did it over email, figured people could keep their rude comments to themselves. :)

[JonesiesGirl]

It's so interesting to read all the responses! At this point I'll consider myself lucky if I can get DH to wait two more weeks to tell our parents (I'll be 6+5 or 6+6 at that point). I just hate the idea that we would have to un-tell them if something happened, but I have no reason to think that something will happen, so maybe I'm just paranoid. 

[jjh5351]

Well I plan on telling my parents right before our first appointment in a couple of weeks because I am still (even though we are married) on my dad's insurance and so he might think something is up if he starts seeing invoices or something. Otherwise, we probably won't tell anyone else other than DH's family until we hit that 12 week mark!

[fourlittlebirds]

I told my mom right away! I had to share the excitement!! We've told a few people so far and will probably announce it to the whole family at Easter.

[Kamiro]

My good friends in our fellowship were very happy for us :)

[Vaquitita]

We've told our family right away in the past, and friends a few weeks later. Idk this time, I kinda feeling like keeping it to myself this time. Maybe just cause I'm anticipating less than overjoyed reactions since its our fourth. My mom has already told me I shouldn't have any more kids, because she wants me to take care of her. At the very least i know I'll be hearing are you crazy? Aren't you done yet? Was it planned?

[Kamiro]

Vaq, I hear you, I hear you.

Fertility is such a personal thing, I hope that I will always remember (No matter what circumstances I am faced with) to know that "Congratulations! How are you feeling?" is the only acceptable response to "I'm knocked up!"

I have to say my mom was actually pretty nice in email.

I am dreading telling my brother. I love him dearly, but kids are just something to hurry up and raise so you can get on with your real life. He thinks I am nuttier than a Mississippi squirrel.

[SparkleMaman]

Well, my DD spilled the beans yesterday at school!! It's totally good and fine. And I told some colleagues after she spilled it but I'm conflicted about sharing with my students. I feel like it's too early but since my DD's classmates will now know, seems unkind not to tell them myself. Still debating. . .

[babylonghorn]

Since we struggled with infertility and recurrent pregnanacy loss for the past few years, we've decided to wait to tell our families until after the first OB appointment in April.  We will not make a Facebook announcement until after the 20 week anatomy scan.   We are very private people though so I don't feel much of a need at all to share the experience with the world.  It's just a very personal decision I think. 

[Sleepymama]

I'm thinking of just not announcing on facebook at all.  Some people will be surprised when I start talking about my three kids, but let them wonder.

Only 3 people besides my DH know right now--and I am related to none of them.  I am hoping to tell my kids after we see a heartbeat in a couple of weeks.  Then I'll tell my mom, I guess.  Or just send her a birth announcement in November.  I mean, I'm pretty sure most people will be happy for us, but I'm definitely going to get the "was this planned?" question a lot since most people thought we were done.  The answer is not exactly.  But is that any of their business?  No. No it is not.

[Sienna-forever]

I didnt announce dd on facebook until her birth, people were surprised! Id kind of like to announce on facebook this time although not early on. And you are so right, its no-one elses business, I hope people don't give us neg comments or rude questions! 

[Amila]

We have told family and close friends, the kids, and my colleagues who are like family to me. And a few others. But waiting until Mothers Day to announce on FB- its also our 6th wedding anniversary so it seems appropriate :)

[andi-mama]

We have told a couple of close friends (and only because they knew we were TTC) but we won't be telling anyone else (including our parents/extended family) until 12 weeks. We've miscarried in the past and do not want to live through the "untell".

I am most excited to tell our four older kids. They have wanted a baby sibling for SO LONG.

[Emmecat]

I've told my husband- obviously lol. And 3 close friends but that's it. Won't tell our parents till later in the first trimester if we can get way with it. They won't be happy as they don't think we should have another baby (I get very bad HG and was hospitalised last time :(  )

[ultrafighter]

I'm telling my sister today, my parents on Wednesday, and DH's parents next weekend. After that, we'll send some cute announcements I designed to family/friends we don't see in person all that often and announce to fb at the beginning of April. This is our first, and we're too excited to keep quiet. LOL

[Starfish11]

I have told two of my besties and our adoption agency. We will wait until about 14 weeks to tell everyone else. I had a mc in November and even though I did lean on my friends heavily I don't know how much I can handle that again.

We go on a vacation with my in laws at the beginning of April and will probably tell them. It will be hard to be evasive about the adoption questions without just telling them.

I am more worried about our toddlers catching wind and going nuts telling everyone.