That's it, you're pregnant, pregnant at last, pregnant again or surprise: you're pregnant! In a few words, and to your great delight, you're expecting a baby. The next step is to make the announcement. To whom, how and, above all, when should you announce your pregnancy? Right away? After 12 weeks' gestation, or maybe it's 12 weeks' gestation? To all your friends, the administration and your employer too? These are some of the most frequently asked questions, to which we'll try to provide some answers.
CONTENTS
- Three months of pregnancy and a superstition
- Why announce your pregnancy after 12 weeks?
- Exclusive announcement to dad
- Announcing your pregnancy to loved ones and seeing their eyes light up
- Some original ideas for announcing your pregnancy
- Declare your pregnancy to the authorities for proper follow-up
- Carry life and live deeply (all) your emotions
Three months of pregnancy and a superstition
Many couples keep their joy of expecting a child a secret for 3 months. You're bound to know some of them, and perhaps you're one of them. A "reasonable delay" often presented as a recommendation. But by whom and for what reasons?
At around 12 weeks' amenorrhea (SA), i.e. 12 weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period, the first obligatory prenatal ultrasound takes place, to observe the vitality of the fetus, estimate its age and specify the expected delivery date.
For the majority of parents-to-be, it's best towait for this date, and for confirmation that all is well, before announcing the arrival of their child. Indeed, there's a kind of superstition that says that a hasty pregnancy announcement brings bad luck.
Why announce your pregnancy after 12 weeks?
Becauseultrasound is the best indicator for monitoring fetal development, and because the risk of miscarriage is highest in the first few weeks after conception, doctors often refer to 12 weeks' gestation as a reasonable time to observe for the successful continuation of a pregnancy.
Over time, this caution has turned into superstition on the part of parents-to-be, who prefer to remain discreet until this date.
On the other hand, announcing your pregnancy before the end of the first trimester helps you feel less alone in the whirlwind of motherhood. By choosing one or more people to tell about your pregnancy, you can share a huge dose of happiness right away. In their presence, you don't have to hide, hide your nausea or justify not drinking wine! And above all, in the event of a problem, or simply in the face of the aches and pains of a pregnancy that's not always easy to manage, you feel stronger because you're surrounded by people.
Coping with miscarriage and incomprehension
Every year in France, according to a report published by MP Sandrine Josso, some 200,000 miscarriages are detected before the 14th week of amenorrhea. In France, spontaneous abortion (detected or very early) affects or will affect 1 in 4 women during their lifetime.
These figures reinforce the fear of a pregnancy ending too soon, the fear of talking about it too soon, and the fear of having to break the bad news one day.
For, if experiencing a miscarriage is one thing, informing those around you is another, and another reason given by women for not announcing the arrival of a baby straight away.
But once that time has passed, once the doubts have been dispelled and baby is firmly ensconced in your belly, it's time to let your joy explode and announce the news to everyone around you.
Exclusive announcement to dad
But yes, after you, he's the main person involved, and as such, he deserves a unique announcement. The dad-to-be, or your spouse, is also the person with whom you'll be able to share the big news first, often on the very same day.
If he's not by your side when you post the positive result, take the time to sit back, take a deep breath, absorb the big news and think about the best time to tell him! Dinner for two? A surprise, a letter or a gift-wrapped pregnancy test? Either way, you'll be right.
By the way, if you're expecting a baby, the whole Team Élhée joins in your happiness.🤍 D on't hesitate to share it with us on Instagram. We look forward to seeing you there.
The Full of Love box, for a love-filled announcement
Because having a baby is above all a huge act of love, the Élhée team has created a baby bottle set that's 100% romantic, 100% aesthetic and 100% emotional. Comprisinga 150 ml baby bottle, a 240 ml baby bottle and a 70x70 cm organic cotton diaper, all embellished with chubby red hearts, it's perfect for announcing baby, celebrating Valentine's Day, or both at the same time!
A limited edition Full of Love box to say "I love you", "I'm proud to share your life", "You're going to be a dad", "We're going to be even happier"... And above all, a set of anti-colic feeding bottles and physiological teats in medical silicone, to ensure your baby's pleasure and well-being from day one.
Announcing your pregnancy to loved ones and seeing their eyes light up
Nothing is harder than hiding your happiness from those you love, especially when it starts to show on the curves of your body. And with motherhood bringing with it a variety of ailments (such as fatigue and nausea) and a few constraints, not least dietary ones, the arrival of a child isn't the easiest secret to keep. Not to mention the excitement! The desire to tell, to share, to question, to project...
So the perfect time to tell your family the big news will be the one you feel, deep down, is right. Pregnancy announcement at Christmas, on a birthday, during a family vacation or simply on a Sunday coffee hour - it's up to you.
Announcing the imminent arrival of a child is also an opportunity to talk about the first birth gifts! Furniture, strollers, clothes, maternal care and baby items - you can start drawing up your list right now.
When should you tell your eldest that you're pregnant?
While you're enjoying your pregnancy, you're gradually realizing that your first baby, your eldest, may see things differently. Until now, he's been the center of all attention, but he'll gradually have to learn to share.
So telling your child that you're pregnant should always be done with joy and positivity. It's the perfect way to show your child that the best news of all has arrived.
After waiting until the end of the first trimester, and even if he already suspects something, show him your first ultrasound, your growing belly, make him guess your pregnancy in the form of a game and, why not, introduce a little daily ritual of cuddling and singing to the unborn baby through your belly.
Some original ideas for announcing your pregnancy
When you've chosen the perfect moment to announce your pregnancy, do it in an original way with Pomelo Creation®. We offer you several creative options to surprise your loved ones and see them marvel. Choose a scratch card to add a touch of suspense and surprise, a crossword puzzle card to reveal this wonderful news in a playful way, or a personalized bottle label for a unique and memorable announcement.
Declare your pregnancy to the authorities for proper follow-up
Here, you don't need to do a thing. While the declaration of pregnancy must be sent to the CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) before the 14th week, more and more often your GP or gynecologist completes it online, following the first prenatal examination scheduled between the 9th and 12th week of amenorrhea.
If, however, you receive a paper declaration of pregnancy, send it as soon as possible to your CAF and Assurance Maladie so that they can calculate your subsidies and pay your birth grant.
When should you announce your pregnancy at work? The choice is yours
There's no deadline for disclosing your pregnancy to your employer or colleagues. It's all a matter of feeling.
However, the French Labor Code stipulates that every woman must declare her pregnancy and justify it with a medical certificate in order to benefit from the advantages to which she is entitled: time off for medical appointments, reduced working hours, protection against dismissal and maternity leave. These rights apply from the moment you notify your employer.
Carry life and live deeply (all) your emotions
You now have the keys to choosing when to announce your pregnancy to the various circles around you. But the most important thing is how you feel about this revelation. To know when to talk about the child you're carrying, you need to listen to your body, your desires and your own emotions.
Every couple should be able to manage the announcement of their unborn child as they wish, while respecting their own rhythm, history and beliefs.
Keeping motherhood to yourself for three months is reassuring and protective: either because you've already experienced the premature end of a pregnancy and the pain that goes with it, or because you want to enjoy a few weeks of intimacy and well-kept happiness.
Nevertheless, more and more doctors and psychologists are pointing out that this habit also contributes to the invisibility of miscarriages occurring before the 12th week of an unannounced pregnancy.
Because pregnancy and parenthood are two of life's most powerful and life-changing adventures, free yourself from dogma, norms and diktats. Announce the arrival of your child or keep it to yourself, talk freely to everyone about it or confess your fears. There is no truth in this, only your feelings.
IN SUMMARY
When to announce your pregnancy, 12 SA or 12 SG?
To date a pregnancy, you can choose to speak in weeks of pregnancy (WOP) or weeks of amenorrhea (WA). The former begin on the presumed day of conception, the latter on the first day of the last menstrual period. To announce your pregnancy and comply with the three-month recommendation, you're best advised to wait until 12 weeks' gestation.
Why wait 12 weeks to announce your pregnancy?
Because the majority of miscarriages occur in the first few weeks of pregnancy, we recommend that future parents wait until the third month of pregnancy to announce the arrival of their child. It's also at this time, between the 9th and 12th week of amenorrhea, that the first prenatal ultrasound takes place.
When should you tell your parents about your pregnancy?
Announcing your pregnancy to your closest relatives can be done fairly quickly, once the pregnancy test and blood test have been confirmed, i.e. within the first few days. You can also discuss the risk of miscarriage, which is higher in the first trimester.
