So, you're pregnant! Finally pregnant, pregnant again, or a surprise: you're pregnant! In short, and to your immense joy, you're expecting a baby—it's confirmed. Now comes the question of how to announce it. To whom, how, and most importantly, when? Right away? After 12 weeks of amenorrhea (12 SA), or perhaps 12 weeks of gestation (12 SG)? To all your friends, to the administration, and to your employer too? These are very common questions, which we will try to answer.
SUMMARY
- Three months pregnant and a superstition
- Why announce your pregnancy after 12 weeks?
- Exclusively, the announcement to the father
- Announcing your pregnancy to loved ones and seeing their eyes light up
- Some original ideas for announcing your pregnancy
- Declare your pregnancy to the administration for proper monitoring
- to carry life and to experience deeply (all) its emotions
Three months pregnant and a superstition
Many couples keep their pregnancy a secret for up to three months. You surely know some, and perhaps you're even one of them. This "reasonable timeframe" is often presented as a recommendation. But who makes this recommendation, and why?
Around 12 weeks of amenorrhea (SA) , i.e. 12 weeks after the first day of the last period, the first mandatory prenatal ultrasound takes place, which allows in particular to observe the vitality of the fetus, to estimate its age and to specify the expected date of delivery.
For most expectant parents, it's best to wait until this date and confirmation that everything is going well before announcing the arrival of their child more widely. Indeed, a kind of superstition suggests that a premature pregnancy announcement brings bad luck.
Why announce your pregnancy after 12 weeks?
Because ultrasound is the best indicator for monitoring fetal development and because the risks of miscarriage are higher during the first weeks after conception, doctors often mention the 12-week gestational age limit as a reasonable step to observe for the successful continuation of a pregnancy.
Over time, this caution has turned into superstition on the part of expectant parents who prefer to remain discreet until that 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 confide in , you immediately share a huge dose of happiness. In their presence, you don't have to hide, mask your nausea, or justify not drinking wine! And above all, in case of problems or simply when faced with the sometimes difficult discomforts of pregnancy, you feel stronger because you have more support .
Experiencing a miscarriage and facing incomprehension
Each year in France, according to a report published by Member of Parliament 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 early, and the fear of one day having to announce bad news.
Because, while experiencing a miscarriage is an ordeal , informing those around you is another and an additional reason cited by women for not announcing the arrival of a baby right away .
But, once that time has passed, once the doubts have been lifted and the baby is firmly settled in your belly, the moment has come to let your joy burst forth and announce the news to everyone around you.
Exclusively, the announcement to the father
Yes, after you, he's the one most concerned, and as such, he deserves a special announcement. The future father, or your partner, is also the person with whom you can share the big news first , often even on the day itself.
If he's not by your side when you get the positive result, take some time to sit down, breathe deeply, absorb the big news, and think about the best moment to tell him! A romantic dinner for two? A surprise, a letter, or your pregnancy test tucked into a gift box? In any case, you'll be right.
By the way, if you're expecting a baby, the entire Élhée Team shares in your joy! 🤍 Feel free to share it with us on Instagram . We'd love to see you there.
The Full of Love gift set, for an announcement full of love
Because having a child is above all an immense act of love , the Élhée team has designed a 100% romantic, 100% beautiful, 100% emotional baby bottle gift set just for you. Comprising a 150ml bottle , a 240ml bottle , and a 70x70cm organic cotton muslin square , all adorned with chubby red hearts , it's the perfect gift to announce a baby, celebrate Valentine's Day, or both!
A Full of Love gift set (limited edition) to say "I love you", "I am proud to share your life", "You are going to be a dad", "We are going to be even happier"... And above all, a set of anti-colic bottles and physiological teats made of medical silicone , to prioritize the pleasure and well-being of your baby 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 your body. Furthermore, with motherhood bringing various ailments (such as fatigue and nausea) and some restrictions, particularly dietary ones , the arrival of a child isn't the easiest secret to keep. Not to mention the excitement! The urge to talk, to share, to ask questions, to imagine the future…
The perfect moment to announce the big news to your family will be whatever feels right deep down. Whether it's announcing your pregnancy at Christmas , on a birthday, during a family vacation, or simply over coffee on a Sunday, it's entirely up to you.
Announcing the upcoming arrival of a child is also an opportunity to talk about the first baby gifts! Furniture, stroller, clothes, maternity care items, you can already start drafting your list.
When should you tell your eldest child that you are pregnant?
Caught up in the joy of pregnancy, you gradually realize that your first baby, your eldest, might see things differently. Until now the center of all attention, he will gradually have to learn to share .
Telling your child you're pregnant should always be done with joy and positivity . It's a great way to show them that the best news 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, have him guess your pregnancy in the form of a game and why not establish a small daily ritual of hugs and songs addressed to the future 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 a unique way with Pomelo Creation® . We offer several creative options to surprise your loved ones and see their faces light up. Opt for a scratch-off card to add a touch of suspense and surprise, a crossword puzzle card to reveal this wonderful news in a fun way, or a customizable bottle label for a truly unique and memorable announcement.
Declare your pregnancy to the administration for proper monitoring
Here, you don't have to do anything. If the pregnancy declaration must be sent to the CAF (Family Allowance Fund) before the 14th week , your general practitioner or gynecologist is increasingly doing it online, following the first prenatal examination scheduled between the 9th and 12th week of amenorrhea.
If you do receive a pregnancy declaration in paper format, send it quickly to your CAF and to the Health Insurance for the calculation of your benefits and the payment of your birth bonus.
When to announce your pregnancy at work? You have a choice.
Indeed, there is no deadline for you to reveal your pregnancy to your employer or colleagues. It's all about feeling comfortable with the situation.
However, the Labor Code specifies that every woman must declare her pregnancy and provide a medical certificate to receive the benefits to which she is entitled: time off for medical appointments, reduced working hours, protection against dismissal, and maternity leave. Note that these rights apply as soon as you inform your employer.
to carry life and to experience deeply (all) its emotions
You now have the tools to choose when to announce your pregnancy to the different circles of people around you. But the most important element remains your feelings about this revelation. To know when to talk about the child you are carrying, you must first and foremost listen to your body , your desires , and your own emotions .
Each couple should be able to manage the announcement of their unborn child as they wish, respecting their own pace, history and beliefs.
Keeping one's pregnancy private for three months is reassuring and allows one to protect oneself : either because one has already experienced the premature end of a pregnancy and the pain that accompanies it, or because one wishes to enjoy a few weeks of intimacy and well-kept happiness.
However, more and more doctors and psychologists are pointing out that this habit also contributes to making miscarriages that occur before the 12th week of an unannounced pregnancy invisible .
Because pregnancy and parenthood are among the most powerful and transformative adventures in a lifetime, free yourself from dogma, norms, and dictates . Announce the arrival of your child or keep it to yourself, speak freely about it with everyone or confess your fears. In this matter, there is no single truth, only your feelings.
IN SUMMARY
When to announce your pregnancy, 12 weeks pregnant (SA) or 12 weeks gestational age (SG)?
To date a pregnancy, you can choose to use weeks of gestation (WG) or weeks of amenorrhea (WA). The former begins on the presumed day of conception, the latter on the first day of the last menstrual period. To announce a pregnancy and follow the three-month recommendation, it's generally best to wait until 12 WG.
Why wait 12 weeks to announce your pregnancy?
Because the majority of miscarriages occur in the first few weeks of pregnancy, expectant parents are advised to wait until the third month of pregnancy to announce the arrival of their child. It is also at this time, between the 9th and 12th weeks of amenorrhea, that the first prenatal ultrasound takes place.
When should you announce your pregnancy to your parents?
Announcing your pregnancy to your parents and close family can be done quite quickly, after confirmation of the pregnancy test and blood test, ideally within the first few days. It's also a good opportunity to discuss with them the risk of miscarriage, which is higher during the first trimester.
